Exploitative smugglers are offering discounted channel crossings to migrants who promote their services through social media. Migrants could get up to £2,000 off the small-boat channel crossing, ranging in price from £1,500 to £6,000, if they post a successful journey on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.
Smugglers are using photos and videos in their social media advertisements, which often have joyful music in the background and show British life in a positive light. Paul Brisley of the National Crime Agency (NCA), which uncovered the new tactic, said the incentives were targeted at family groups, certain nationalities, women, and children. According to an immigration source speaking to the Telegraph, the gangs make the crossings look “as safe and peaceful as possible” while hiding the dangerous reality.
Brisley added the videos are not only used to promote migrant smuggling services, but also to supply false documents and assist with fraudulent visa applications.
In 2024, the NCA triggered the removal of more than 8,000 social media accounts promoting crossings, up from the 5,600 it removed in 2023, which are thought to account for up to a half of accounts promoting the illegal services.
Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: “It’s welcome news there is a crackdown on social media channels. It is disturbing to hear that they are offering discounts for video footage.
“It shows they are very entrepreneurial. This is a ruthless business making millions each year.”
Home Offices figures showed 36,816 people crossed the English Channel in small boats in 2024, an increase on the previous year, but not as many as in 2022 with 45,774 arrivals.
So far this year, 4,392 people in 80 boats have made the crossing to the UK.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay. We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.”