Adebowale Ogunsanya had always been a man of ambition. Growing up in Nigeria, he dreamed of providing a better life for his family. His chance came when he moved to the UK for his postgraduate studies, hoping it would open doors to lucrative job opportunities. After years of hard work and sacrifice, Adebowale believed he was finally on the verge of securing his future in the UK. But that hope was cruelly dashed when he fell victim to a UK Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) switch scam that cost him £11,000.
This is the painful story of how desperation, trust, and misplaced belief in shortcuts led Adebowale down a path of financial ruin. His story serves as a stark warning to other Nigerians in the UK looking to switch jobs through the COS system—a lesson learned in the most brutal way possible.
The Initial Hope: From Student to Skilled Worker
After completing his Master’s degree in Business Management at the University of Leicester, Adebowale found himself at a crossroads. His student visa was nearing expiration, and while he had enjoyed his time studying in the UK, the thought of returning to Nigeria empty-handed filled him with dread. He had heard stories of fellow Nigerians who had successfully switched to skilled worker visas via the COS scheme, which allows UK employers to sponsor non-UK citizens to work in the country.
The problem was finding a legitimate employer willing to sponsor him. The job market was competitive, and many companies were reluctant to go through the rigorous process of COS sponsorship. It was then that Adebowale was introduced to what he thought was a golden opportunity: an agent who claimed to have connections with a reputable UK company that could sponsor his visa switch—at a cost.
“I was desperate,” Adebowale recalled. “My visa was expiring in a few months, and I didn’t want to go back to Nigeria. When I heard about this agent, I thought it was the answer to my prayers.”
The Deal That Seemed Perfect
The agent convincingly presented everything. For a fee of £11,000, the agent would arrange a COS through a UK company, secure Adebowale’s skilled worker visa, and ensure he had a job in the Health and Care sector in Manchester that paid the required salary threshold for visa sponsorship. The agent insisted that this was a standard process, especially for non-EU citizens who wanted to remain in the UK legally.
At first, Adebowale was hesitant. £11,000 was a lot of money—money he didn’t have readily available. But the fear of having to leave the UK and start over in Nigeria weighed heavily on his mind. He convinced himself that this was an investment in his future. With some savings from his part-time jobs, a loan from his family, and borrowing from friends, Adebowale raised the £11,000.
“The agent assured me everything was legit,” Adebowale explained. “They sent me paperwork, a contract, DBS Check, reference form and even arranged a Skype call with a Nigerian ‘manager’ from the care company that was supposed to sponsor my visa in Manchester. It all seemed real.”
The Red Flags Begin to Show
Initially, everything seemed to be going according to plan. The agent sent Adebowale documentation that appeared authentic, including a job offer and sponsorship letter. He submitted his visa application and waited anxiously for approval. But as the weeks went by, Adebowale began to notice inconsistencies. Communication with the agent became sporadic, and when he tried to contact the company that was supposedly sponsoring him, his calls went unanswered.
“I started feeling uneasy,” Adebowale admitted. “But by that point, I had already paid the money. I thought maybe it was just part of the process, that I needed to be patient.”
The tipping point came when Adebowale received an email from the UK Home Office. His visa application had been rejected, citing that the COS provided was not valid and that the company listed was not recognized as a licensed sponsor.
“I was devastated,” Adebowale said, his voice trembling with emotion. “I had been scammed. Everything—the documents, the company, the agent—it was all fake.”
The Fallout: Financial and Emotional Collapse
The realization that he had lost £11,000 hit Adebowale like a ton of bricks. His dreams of staying in the UK, building a career, and providing for his family came crashing down. Worse still, he now had to deal with the emotional burden of explaining what had happened to his family back in Nigeria. They had trusted him, believed in his vision, and supported him financially—and now, he had nothing to show for it.
“I couldn’t believe how foolish I had been,” Adebowale said, shaking his head in disbelief. “I felt so ashamed. My family had worked so hard to help me, and I let them down. The shame was unbearable.”
The financial loss was crippling, but the emotional toll was even more profound. Adebowale struggled with guilt, self-blame, and the overwhelming fear of what his future now held. His visa had expired, and he was left in a precarious situation, facing the very real possibility of deportation.
The Brutal Lessons Learned
Adebowale’s story is one of loss, but it’s also one of harsh lessons that he hopes will prevent others from falling into the same trap. Here are the lessons he learned the hard way:
- There Are No Shortcuts: Adebowale now realizes that there are no easy routes to securing a skilled worker visa in the UK. Any offer that seems too good to be true likely is. “If someone promises you a quick fix for something as complex as immigration, you should run in the opposite direction,” he advises.
- Research and Verify Everything: Adebowale admits that he didn’t do enough due diligence. He didn’t thoroughly research the company or the agent. Now, he advises others to verify every aspect of the process—whether through official UK government websites or by seeking legal advice.
- Trust the Right Channels: The UK immigration system is strict, but it is also transparent. Adebowale urges fellow Nigerians to follow the official procedures, even if they seem time-consuming or difficult. “There’s no room for shortcuts in the immigration process,” he said.
- Don’t Act Out of Desperation: The biggest mistake Adebowale acknowledges is allowing desperation to cloud his judgment. “I was so afraid of failing that I didn’t think clearly. Desperation makes you vulnerable, and that’s when scammers strike.”
Picking Up the Pieces: Rebuilding from the Ashes
Adebowale’s journey is far from over. He is now working with legal professionals to explore his options, but the road to recovery—both financially and emotionally—will be long. He has returned to Nigeria temporarily to regroup and figure out his next steps. While the loss of £11,000 has left him in debt, he’s determined not to let this setback define him.
“I’ve learned the hard way, but I still believe in my dream. It’s just going to take more time and more careful planning,” Adebowale said, with a glimmer of hope returning to his voice.
Conclusion: A Painful Lesson for All Nigerian Job Seekers in the UK
Japastreeters, Adewale Ogunsanya’s tragic loss of £11,000 is a lesson in the dangers of shortcuts, scams, and misplaced trust. For Nigerians in the UK or those planning to move there, his story serves as a sobering reminder to be vigilant, do thorough research, and follow official processes. Adewale hopes that his story will prevent others from falling into the same trap, sparing them the heartache, shame, and financial ruin that he now knows all too well.
