Small boat 'travel agents' luring Iranian migrants fleeing Islamic Republic to Britain

An investigation has uncovered small boat "travel agents" who are exploiting TikTok to recruit Iranians escaping conflict, deploying polished promotional content that mimics legitimate travel agencies.

The investigation has uncovered footage on the platform featuring London landmarks including Tower Bridge and the Winston Churchill statue, accompanied by the slogan "Habibi (my love), come to London".

One clip includes a female narrator declaring: "Welcome to London. Discover the iconic skyline, the bustling streets, and vibrant energy that never stops."

The account, operating under the name Channel Hope, launched on March 18, fewer than three weeks after hostilities commenced, and has since published 22 posts aimed specifically at Iranian migrants.

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The smugglers offer migrants the option to settle their fees after reaching Britain, with crossings typically costing around £2,000.

However, many who arrive by dinghy subsequently find themselves trapped in unlawful employment or forced labour, including involvement in drug trafficking operations.

Since 2018, approximately 200,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats, with Iranians representing 35,000 of that total.

Deportations to Iran have proved virtually impossible, with just 108 individuals sent back, as a consequence of the country being deemed too dangerous for returns.

The videos discovered on TikTok show French migrant camps, urging viewers to contact a phone number to arrange passage, The Sun on Sunday reports.

A senior Belgian police official has called for a naval blockade to halt migrant boats before they enter British waters.

Christiaan De Ridder, Deputy Chief of West Flanders Police, issued the demand amid rising numbers of small boat departures from Belgian coastal areas close to the French frontier.

"We have to stop them before they get to the UK. We have to find a way to stop them on the water," he told the BBC.

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Mr De Ridder suggested establishing a maritime barrier preventing dinghies from entering French waters would bring crossings to a complete halt.

Former Conservative minister Sir Alec Shelbrooke argued the TikTok evidence should inform asylum policy.

He said: "This evidence is exactly the sort of thing you have to be aware of, so when Iranians come across, you say, 'No, you can't seek asylum'."

The Home Office said: "Every individual arriving illegally faces stringent checks.

"If identified as a threat, authorities will take the necessary action, including removing them swiftly."

Meanwhile, French authorities continue to escort dinghies towards British waters rather than intercepting them, despite awareness criminal gangs orchestrate these crossings.

This approach has provoked mounting frustration in Britain, given the government's £660million three-year funding commitment to France aimed at curbing illegal Channel crossings.

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