Crime fixer caught by BBC offering to erase £60K fines on migrant workers

1 hour ago Share Save Ed Thomas, UK editor , Patrick Clahane and Rebecca Wearn Share Save

Watch: "Why are you facilitating illegal working?" BBC confronts Shaxawan after he is filmed by our undercover reporters

A man at the centre of an organised crime network has been secretly filmed telling BBC undercover reporters how he can help to erase fines of up to £60,000 for employing illegal workers. The self-described "accountant" is among a group of Kurdish men, first exposed in a BBC investigation on Tuesday, who enable migrants to work illegally in mini-marts, by registering the businesses in their own name. The man, who goes by the name of Shaxawan, told the two journalists that he and his associates could help migrants - including asylum seekers - to set up businesses illegally and "confuse" immigration enforcement. Operating from a solicitor's office in Huddersfield, he said he had "customers in every city". In Companies House listings, Shaxawan is named as Kardos Mateen, a British resident in his 30s, and has been the director of 18 businesses across the north of England.

When later confronted by us, with details of his claims, he denied any wrongdoing. Trading Standards confirmed it has found illegal cigarettes being sold in many businesses registered under the name Kardos Mateen, and the BBC was sold counterfeit tobacco in four mini-marts where he was listed as the director. The BBC News two-part investigation has revealed the sophistication and scale of criminal networks profiting from undocumented working on UK High Streets.