Paralegal sacked after offering to help dodge £60k illegal working fines

A legal worker who was filmed by an undercover BBC reporter offering to help a business avoid fines of up to £60,000 for employing illegal workers has been dismissed.

Zohaib Hussain, who worked at a solicitor's firm in Huddersfield, claimed he could "make papers" with "business agreements" for a £3,500 fee to help evade immigration fines.

His employer, RKS Solicitors, confirmed he had been "permanently dismissed" the day after the investigation was broadcast and a police report was filed. Mr Hussain had previously stated that he categorically denied "all charges, insinuations, and allegations."

The Investigation

The dismissal follows a string of BBC reports into organised criminal networks operating on High Streets across the United Kingdom. The Home Office has announced an "urgent probe" involving the National Crime Agency and several police forces.

The reports outlined how a Kurdish crime network is facilitating migrants to work illegally in mini-marts across the UK. During the investigation, the BBC identified a man at the centre of an immigration fraud network who claimed he had "customers in every city" and could facilitate illegal working.

Senior politicians warned that these crime networks were acting as a "pull factor" for illegal migration to the UK. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the BBC that while the government had not "lost control" of High Streets to Kurdish organised crime gangs, she acknowledged the issue, stating: "It's why this government has cracked down on illegal work."

The Sting Operation

In one of the investigations, an undercover reporter posed as a mini-mart owner who had been fined £60,000 for employing illegal workers. He met with Zohaib Hussain at the solicitor's office in Huddersfield.

Mr Hussain fired questions at the reporter about his cover story: "How many illegal workers? So how much is the fine? How many times did they catch you? Do you sell vaping? Legal or illegal? Bit of both as well?"

Mr Hussain then explained how to avoid the fine. "Sometimes we might have to make papers," he said, referring to fabricating business deals.

When the undercover reporter asked if the fine could be moved to someone else's name, Mr Hussain said that would be "the last resort." Making a cutting motion across his throat, he warned that immigration authorities would want to "jump on the fine" immediately. He stated his fee would be £3,500 and that he would "look after us."

The Associate

A man identified as Shaxawan was present in the room throughout the meeting. The BBC identified Shaxawan as a key figure in an organised crime network involved in facilitating illegal employment.

He told undercover journalists that he and his associates could help refugees, including asylum seekers, establish themselves illegally and "confuse" immigration enforcement. Shaxawan, a British citizen in his 30s, has been the director of 18 companies across the north of England, including many High Street mini-marts.

During the meeting, Mr Hussain requested that the reporter alert Shaxawan of any forthcoming Immigration Enforcement letters.

Denials and Statements

Despite being filmed in the same meeting, Mr Hussain told the BBC in a previous statement: "For clarity, the individual identified in your letter, Mr Shaxawan Jawad, is not connected with me in any way; professional, personal, or otherwise. I've never been interested in, nor have I promoted, encouraged, or condoned any form of unlawful or improper conduct."

Shaxawan, also known as Kardos Mateen, told the BBC by email that he categorically denied "every allegation, insinuation, and assertion made" in the coverage. He added that he was "not employed by, connected with, or acting on behalf of RKS Solicitors."

In a statement, RKS Solicitors said they had reported the matter to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). They clarified Mr Hussain’s role, stating: "Mr Hussain is employed as a paralegal under stringent supervision. The individual is not licensed or instructed to provide immigration or tax assistance."

The firm declined to comment on Shaxawan Jawad but stated it did not condone unlawful conduct and was committed to the "highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and public service."

West Yorkshire Police is working in close collaboration with the Home Office, which has prioritised the probe into the issues highlighted by the BBC reports.