A new investigation has discovered that people smugglers are using TikTok to sell Channel crossings \u2014 and bragging about how the French will let migrants through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several accounts were discovered to be handled by Albanians selling “safe” passage by small boat or even luxury yacht, as well as advice on how to navigate the asylum system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One crook boasted to The Sun’s undercover investigator, offering him a \u00a34,500 seat on a cross-Channel dinghy, “The French won’t stop you.” They will, on the contrary, safely accompany you until you reach the UK water border.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I can give you a number of a solicitor I have used for my relatives,” the smuggler said on TikTok chat. They have obtained documentation (permission to remain) for half of the Albanians in London.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Three months ago, one boy was kept in detention for a month, then he was freed by his solicitor,” he said when asked about recent arrivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll others I have talked to after they arrived were sent to hotels, then they disappeared. They went to their relatives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gent, a smuggler who claimed to be a “god” of the people-smuggling business, offered a “safer” deluxe yacht service to the UK for \u00a315,000 per person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was contacted through the Albania-England page, which warned against small boat crossings and stated, “Albanians, do not put yourselves in danger.” Every weekend, we take a yacht trip with rooms.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another smuggler, who claimed to be from Birmingham, advertised \u00a38,000 seats on a dinghy that would be packed with up to 40 other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a TikTok chat, a smuggler was asked if the government’s plan to deport migrants to Rwanda, in central Africa, would be problematic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“No, no, don’t worry,” the Albanian replied. You are not sent there. This has been cancelled. They will place you in a hotel. Then you have the freedom to go wherever you want from there.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
757 Albanians crossed the Channel by small boat in 2021. According to a leaked military report, 1,075 Albanians made the crossing in just six weeks this summer, accounting for nearly 40% of all those who arrived in Britain in this manner.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A new investigation has discovered that people smugglers are using TikTok to sell Channel crossings \u2014 and bragging about how the French will let migrants through. Several accounts were discovered … <\/p>\n