UK Solicitor Caught on Camera Advising How to Evade £45,000 Illegal-Worker Fine

Undercover Investigation Exposes Fine-Evasion Scheme

A Bradford-based solicitor has been secretly recorded by undercover journalists explaining how a business owner could make a £45,000 fine for employing illegal workers disappear. Mohammad Alias Yousaf, known as Alias, told an undercover reporter posing as a mini-mart owner facing penalties that he could shift liability to someone overseas willing to claim ownership of the business. The solicitor allegedly suggested finding "anybody who's gone back to Iraq, gone back to Iran" and proposed naming a fictitious person as the business owner, ensuring the fine would land on someone outside UK jurisdiction. Alias has since denied providing such advice and claimed he rejected the scheme when presented with details.

The Ghost Director Strategy

Alias's proposed approach involved using what enforcement officials describe as a "ghost director" — a person paid to put their name on official documents to mask the real business owner. During the recorded call, when the undercover reporter confirmed he had found someone in the Kurdish Region of Iraq ready to declare ownership, Alias appeared encouraging. However, tensions mounted during a subsequent in-person meeting when the supposed owner, another undercover journalist using the alias Saman, repeatedly stated he was not actually the shop owner and had never seen the business. Despite these contradictions, Alias continued pressing Saman to confirm his ownership so he could submit false documentation to authorities. Toward the end of the meeting, Alias's demeanor shifted and he began distancing himself from the proposal, claiming he could not advance dishonest claims.

Widespread Evasion Problem

The investigation reveals a systemic issue with illegal-working fines across the UK. According to Home Office data obtained by the journalists, at least £150 million in fines remains uncollected. Between 2021 and 2025, authorities issued 5,755 fines worth a combined £215 million, yet only £60.5 million has been collected. In 2024, maximum penalties for knowingly employing illegal workers increased from £15,000 to £60,000. An anonymous law enforcement official described a widespread culture of non-compliance, recounting how she had observed immigration notices worth £40,000 stuffed in boxes on mini-mart counters, with staff dismissing the fines as irrelevant.

Social Media Promotion and Professional Response

Alias came to journalists' attention through social media videos on Kurdish Facebook pages, where business owners praised his ability to resolve immigration fine issues. These videos, some viewed over 20,000 times, advertised his phone number and law firm name, Liberty Solicitors. Alias denies commissioning or approving the social media campaign. When shown the recordings, senior immigration lawyer Bryony Rest characterized Alias's conduct as potentially amounting to perverting the course of justice and recommended professional sanctions. She noted that Alias initiated the dishonest proposals before later attempting to walk them back when his suspicions appeared aroused.

Government Response and Ongoing Uncertainty

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a review of how illegal-working fines are issued and collected, stating the process should be strengthened to improve enforcement and response to non-compliance. The review aims to leverage all available means to address payment failures. Alias maintains that his legitimate work involves challenging penalties through lawful parliamentary routes, typically by arguing that individuals identified were never actually employees. He stated he did not proceed with assisting the undercover reporter and has denied the allegations. The £250 upfront payment provided during the undercover meeting has not been returned to the journalist, though Alias claims Liberty Solicitors has attempted multiple repayment methods.