A Bradford-based solicitor was secretly recorded by the BBC outlining a method to bypass thousands of pounds in government fines for employing illegal workers. Mohammad Alias Yousaf, who practices under Liberty Solicitors, was captured on hidden camera and audio proposing that business owners could shift legal liabilities overseas by attributing company ownership to individuals living abroad.

The Undercover Investigation

The investigation began after law enforcement officials and social media posts highlighted widespread avoidance of immigration penalties among high street businesses. Monitoring revealed multiple Kurdish-language videos praising a solicitor named Alias for successfully cancelling steep financial penalties.

An undercover reporter posing as a mini-mart owner contacted Alias regarding a fictitious £45,000 fine for employing an illegal worker. During the initial phone consultation, Alias stated his fee would be 10% of the penalty amount, requesting an upfront cash payment. He then asked if the reporter knew anyone currently living outside the United Kingdom—such as in Iraq or Iran whose name could be placed on official documents to mask the actual business owner.

The reporter subsequently visited Alias's Bradford office with a hidden camera, bringing an initial £250 cash payment. During the meeting, a phone call was placed to a second undercover journalist posing as an overseas contact willing to take on the liability.

Although Alias repeatedly asked the contact to confirm ownership of the shop, the recording captured the solicitor continuing with the arrangement even after the individual explicitly stated they had never seen the business and were not the real owner. Alias assured the caller that the authorities would likely drop the matter, remarking that the case would be finished.

Legal Scrutiny and Response

Legal experts who reviewed the secret recordings described the conduct as severe professional misconduct. One senior immigration lawyer stated that the actions amounted to perverting the course of justice and warranted the solicitor being struck off from practice.

Towards the end of the interactions, Alias's demeanor shifted, and he asserted that he could not advance an untruthful version of events. He subsequently sent messages withdrawing his offer and stated that arrangements would be made to return the upfront cash payment, though the funds remain unreturned.

In response to the findings, Alias has strongly denied ever providing advice on submitting false information to the Home Office or transferring penalties to innocent parties. He maintained that his professional practice involves challenging penalties lawfully through established legal routes, typically by arguing that the individual in question was never an employee.

Government Action

Official figures indicate that millions of pounds in immigration fines remain uncollected across the country. Following the BBC investigation, the Home Secretary announced an immediate review into how these penalties are issued and collected, with the goal of strengthening compliance and closing enforcement loopholes.