Kelvin Alaneme, a Nigerian medical doctor based in the United Kingdom, has vowed to sue the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for defamation. The BBC, in an investigative report, accused him of running a fraudulent job placement scheme through his agency, CareerEdu. Alaneme, however, insists that the allegations are false, maintaining, “I have never scammed or defrauded anyone in my life, and I never will.”
BBC Investigation and Allegations
The BBC’s ‘Africa Eye’ investigation claims that Alaneme charged up to $13,000 for fake UK care job visas. The report, which exposed fraudulent immigration schemes, highlighted a rise in scams following the UK government’s 2022 expansion of its visa scheme to include care workers.
To obtain a UK work visa under this scheme, applicants must secure a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed employer. The report revealed that between July 2022 and December 2024, the UK government revoked over 470 care sector licenses, affecting more than 39,000 foreign workers.
According to the BBC, Alaneme played a key role in these fraudulent relocation services, allegedly providing job placements that did not exist.
Undercover Footage and Claims of Fraud
A secretly recorded conversation showed Alaneme attempting to recruit a BBC undercover reporter posing as a UK business partner. In the clip, he reportedly said, “Just get me care homes. I can make you a millionaire.” He allegedly offered £2,000 ($2,600) for each care home vacancy secured, with an additional £500 ($650) commission.
The BBC linked Alaneme to Efficiency for Care, a company that issued 1,234 CoS between March 2022 and May 2023, despite employing only 16 people in 2022 and 152 in 2023. The UK government later revoked the company’s sponsorship license in July 2023.
One alleged victim, identified as Praise, claimed he paid Alaneme over £10,000 ($13,000) for a job at Efficiency for Care in Clacton-on-Sea, only to find out upon arrival that the job did not exist.
Alaneme’s Defense and Legal Threats
Alaneme strongly denies all accusations, stating that CareerEdu does not employ care workers but only connects candidates with legitimate recruiters.
“We are not UK care job employers. We have always made this clear,” he said. “Our role is to link qualified employees with licensed recruiters who provide Certificates of Sponsorship.”
He also explained that recruiters sometimes charge additional fees for training, transportation, and accommodation but assured that unsuccessful applicants receive a full refund.
When challenged online to take legal action if the allegations were false, Alaneme responded, “We’ll do that.”
BBC Accused of Bias
Alaneme further accused the BBC of being selective in its reporting. “If the BBC really wanted to do a real story, there are many individuals exploiting people, issuing fake CoS, and outrightly scamming people… We have done none of this, yet they insist on putting out this one-sided falsehood,” he stated.
He remains confident that the truth will prevail, adding, “I believe that the truth will win and posterity will vindicate the just.”
