A well-known Vietnamese smuggler, who illegally came to the UK this year in a small boat, told the BBC that he creates fake visa documents for other Vietnamese hoping to make the same dangerous journey. The man, referred to as Thanh by the BBC, is now seeking asylum in the UK.
He shared that he’s been involved in people smuggling for almost 20 years. Thanh said he has helped over 1,000 people cross the English Channel, despite the risks and dangers involved.
Thanh spoke to the BBC at a secret location, fearing British authorities and Vietnamese criminals might recognize him. He described the smuggling business as “very profitable” and admitted he can’t justify breaking the law, but it’s a source of easy money.
According to Thanh, many Vietnamese make the illegal journey to the UK due to debt or failed businesses back home. He said some start by getting work visas in Hungary using fake documents, a service he has offered himself.
BBC noted that Thanh insists he doesn’t forge documents for UK visas, but he admitted to creating fake papers to get work visas for other parts of Europe.
Thanh revealed that people pay between $15,000 (£11,570) and $20,000 (£15,470) to travel from Vietnam to Europe, then to cross the Channel. It’s a deadly business, with over 50 deaths in 2024 alone, including one Vietnamese person.
The BBC’s interviews suggest that Vietnamese travelers pay two to four times more than other migrants to get across, believing it gives them a quicker chance for a spot on the overcrowded boats.
Thanh’s story has changed several times during his interactions with the BBC, which raises doubts about parts of his account.
At first, he claimed he was trafficked and forced to work in the UK to clear his debts, but later admitted it was a lie to support his asylum claim. He said many Vietnamese migrants use the same tactic to stay in the UK.
Different experts told the BBC that it’s hard to separate smuggling from trafficking since exploitation can happen at any stage. Some Vietnamese migrants end up in illegal jobs, like working on cannabis farms, as they struggle to pay off smuggling debts. According to the BBC, Thanh maintains that most Vietnamese migrants are not trafficked but are misled by smugglers about the opportunities available in Europe.
Thanh also shared details of his earlier life, starting in Vietnam, then moving to Europe at a young age. He lied about his age and identity multiple times to get better treatment in Europe, including pretending to be a child in Germany to get housing and protection. He spent years moving around Europe, taking various illegal jobs, and eventually becoming involved in people smuggling operations.
Although Thanh regrets some of his choices, he blames the smuggling gangs for painting a false picture of life in Europe. He urged the UK and European governments to warn people that illegal migrants struggle to find real work.
Despite his past, he continues to be involved in document forgery, seeing it as a business rather than a crime. His biggest warning to Vietnamese people, as reported by the BBC, is that traveling illegally to Europe isn’t worth the financial and personal risks.
The BBC noted that Thanh’s life in the UK is uncertain, as his smuggling background and continued illegal activities could jeopardize his asylum case.
Still, he insists that he’s trying to change, expressing a wish that he had never left Vietnam, even though he knows his life and his family’s safety could be in danger if the smugglers find out he’s been talking to reporters.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3yzq6px3eo