A Cambridgeshire business has been thrust into the centre of a major undercover BBC investigation exposing how suspected people smugglers allegedly use UK-registered companies to handle payments for illegal Channel crossings.
Credit: BBC Local Investigations
Produced by BBC Local Investigations, the documentary The Smuggling Business: Undercover reveals how smugglers operating from migrant camps in northern France allegedly directed undercover BBC researchers to transfer thousands of pounds through businesses registered in Britain — including firms in Cambridgeshire, Newcastle and south-east London.
Credit: BBC Local Investigations
The programme, now available on BBC iPlayer and airing on BBC One in the London and South regions at 8.30pm on Monday, May 18, uncovers what investigators describe as an increasingly sophisticated financial network behind dangerous small boat crossings.
Undercover reporter approached within minutes in Dunkirk
The BBC sent an undercover researcher posing as a migrant into a camp in Dunkirk, France, where they were approached within minutes by two men believed to be touting for rival smuggling gangs.
One led the researcher to a man calling himself “Zia”, who claimed he could arrange a place on a small boat crossing to the UK.
Credit: BBC Local Investigations
A second tout handed over the phone number of another alleged smuggler, “Ahmad”, who reportedly claimed to have operated from northern France for more than five years.
According to the investigation, Ahmad told the undercover reporter payments for crossings could be made through three UK businesses — including a Cambridgeshire firm and a mobile phone shop in Woolwich, south-east London.
The BBC said the crossing would cost £2,700 for two people.
Investigators later verified that the bank details provided for both the Newcastle and Cambridgeshire companies were correct.
Cambridgeshire car wash failed to respond
The Cambridgeshire business identified in the documentary is described as a car wash operation registered with Companies House.
When approached for comment by the BBC, the Cambridgeshire firm did not respond.
A Newcastle wholesale company also named in the investigation strongly denied wrongdoing.
In a statement, the owner said they “strongly reject any suggestion that we have knowingly or negligently enabled criminal activity” and pledged to cooperate fully with authorities.
Secret filming inside London mobile phone shop
The documentary also includes undercover filming inside Afg Mobile Repair in Woolwich, where BBC researchers secretly recorded conversations with two workers.
This time, the undercover operative posed as a UK-based relative attempting to pay for a migrant’s crossing.
One man allegedly explained that the money would only be released to smugglers once the crossing had succeeded.
“If your people do not cross, if he tells me to return your money back to you, I’ll do it,” the worker was filmed saying.
The BBC said no cash was handed over during the investigation.
When confronted later by reporters, the worker denied transferring money for people smugglers.
Smugglers allegedly offered payment points across Europe
The investigation also claims smugglers directed undercover reporters to businesses elsewhere in Europe where cash payments could allegedly be made.
Those locations included a car wash in Antwerp, Belgium, and a restaurant in Paris.
When challenged by the undercover reporter, Ahmad denied involvement in people smuggling. Zia did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Government responds to BBC findings
The Home Office said it is working “relentlessly” with European partners to dismantle criminal gangs organising dangerous Channel crossings.
Migration minister Mike Tapp told the BBC there is “a lot of investigative work that goes on behind the scenes”, including scrutiny of money transfers linked to smuggling operations.
Asked specifically about the use of UK-registered companies’ bank accounts, he said he would “love to see more” of the findings but could not discuss operational details.
Credit: BBC Local Investigations
He added: “Criminal gangs are agile and continuously changing their methods, and it’s important we keep up with that.”
When and where to watch
The Smuggling Business: Undercover is available now on BBC iPlayer and broadcasts on BBC One in the London and South regions at 8.30pm on Monday, May 18.
