Wed, 05 Nov 2025

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 Criminal network behind UK mini-marts enables migrants to work illegally - BBC investigation

Undercover reporters were told how easy it was to make big profits selling illegal vapes and cigarettes.
The Investigation The report reveals that a large number of mini-marts and shops across the UK are linked to a network of ghost directors, who use fake identities and companies to evade tax and scrutiny from authorities. The investigation found that these individuals, primarily Kurdish asylum seekers, have set up hundreds of companies with slight variations in names, addresses, and directorships. Key Findings 1. Ghost Directors: Four individuals, including Kardos Mateen, are at the center of this network, with over 100 company directorships between them. 2. Asylum Seekers as Employees: The investigation found that Kurdish asylum seekers are being employed illegally in these shops, often for low wages and long hours. 3. Counterfeit Cigarettes: Many of the shops sell counterfeit or smuggled cigarettes at significantly lower prices than legitimate stores, with some selling packs for £4 instead of the average UK price of £16. 4. Immigration Issues: The report highlights concerns about immigration enforcement, as some asylum seekers interviewed said they were worried about being fingerprinted and deported. 5. Trading Standards Raids: Seventeen shops linked to these ghost directors have been raided by Trading Standards since 2021, with millions of pounds' worth of unlicensed goods seized. Government Response The Home Office has promised to investigate the findings and has increased raids on businesses employing illegal workers by 51%. The government has also raised fines for businesses to £60,000 per person found working illegally. This article raises important concerns about organized crime, immigration enforcement, and labor laws in the UK.
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