The Home Office has started a new advertising campaign in Albania to expose the false promises made by criminal gangs who smuggle people into the UK using small boats. The ads aim to warn migrants about the harsh reality they may face if they trust these smugglers.
One of the ads features a migrant sharing their experience, saying, “I was promised a well-paid job, but instead, I ended up as a slave.” Another talks about the financial burden placed on migrants, with someone saying, “I owe a lot of money for the journey, but they won’t tell me how long I have to work to pay it off.”
The campaign also highlights the risks migrants face when they arrive in the UK illegally. They are not allowed to work legally, which makes them vulnerable to exploitation by criminals. In another ad, a migrant shares a chilling story: “They said my family would be harmed if I didn’t follow their instructions.”
The number of people making dangerous Channel crossings has risen significantly. In 2024, 36,816 people crossed, which is a 25% increase from 2023, though still lower than the record 45,774 in 2022.
The campaign is part of the government’s effort to combat illegal immigration and stop the exploitation of vulnerable people. Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt explained that this initiative is designed to disrupt the business model of smugglers.
He emphasized the importance of working with international partners like Albania to crack down on these criminal networks, protect people from harm, and secure the UK’s borders. The goal is to warn migrants and prevent them from falling victim to the dangerous lies of smugglers while ensuring justice is served against those responsible.
