A Nigerian doctor, Dr. Kelvin Alaneme, has found himself at the center of a contentious scandal involving a relocation scam targeting desperate migrants and job seekers seeking employment in the UK care sector. The founder of CareerEdu, a company purportedly facilitating job placements and relocations, has been accused of orchestrating a multi-million-pound racket, exploiting vulnerable individuals by charging exorbitant fees for non-existent job opportunities.
Secret recordings obtained by the BBC appear to implicate Dr. Alaneme in the scam, capturing him boasting about his operation to a potential business partner in the UK care industry. Believing he was speaking to a legitimate associate, Dr. Alaneme allegedly offered her a role in his network, stating, “Just get me care homes. I can make you a millionaire.” He purportedly revealed that each job vacancy secured from a UK care home was worth £2,000 ($2,600), with an additional £500 ($650) commission. These job slots were then sold to unsuspecting Nigerian job seekers, many of whom ended up stranded in the UK with no work and no means of survival.
Under UK law, charging candidates for jobs is strictly prohibited. However, Dr. Alaneme seemingly justified the scam, acknowledging that desperate job seekers had no other option. “They (the candidates) are not supposed to be paying because it’s free. It should be free,” he admitted. “But they are paying because they know it’s most likely the only way.”
One victim, Praise, shared his harrowing account of the ordeal. He paid over £10,000 ($13,000) to Dr. Alaneme, believing he had secured a job at a care company called Efficiency for Care in Clacton-on-Sea. However, upon arrival, he discovered that the job was a lie. “If I had known there was no job, I would not have come here. I came here to do a job,” he lamented, revealing that he was left on the verge of homelessness.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, Dr. Alaneme refuted claims of fraudulent activity but surprisingly admitted to engaging in job and relocation racketeering. This admission has raised further questions about the extent of his involvement in the scam and the number of individuals affected by his actions.
As the investigation into Dr. Alaneme’s activities continues, it remains to be seen whether he will face consequences for his alleged role in the relocation scam. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of exploitation and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from predatory schemes.
