UK to Criminalize Online Ads Promoting Small Boat Crossings and Fake Documents

The Big Picture

The UK government has introduced a sweeping legal reform to criminalize online promotion of people-smuggling activities, as part of a broader strategy to disrupt organised immigration crime. A new amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will create a UK-wide offense targeting the creation or dissemination of online content that facilitates illegal entry into the country.

According to the official statement by the Home Office and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, the measure will allow law enforcement to act against those promoting small boat crossings, fake travel documents, and illegal job opportunities via social media platforms. This comes in response to growing evidence that digital content is fueling dangerous and exploitative journeys to the UK.

False Promises and Criminal Profits

“Selling the false promise of a safe journey to the UK and a life in this country – whether on or offline – simply to make money, is nothing short of immoral,” said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. “These criminals have no issue with leading migrants to life-threatening situations using brazen tactics on social media.”

The Home Office noted that while facilitating illegal migration is already a crime, this amendment equips enforcement agencies with new tools to prosecute offenders before they act. Anyone found guilty of creating or sharing promotional content for people-smuggling or illegal work could face up to five years in prison and a large fine.

Targeting Smugglers’ Digital Operations

Home Office data reveals that about 80% of small boat migrants used social media to communicate with facilitators or agents during their journey. As part of the new offense, it will also be illegal to post content that encourages others to break immigration laws in exchange for money — for example, paid influencers or content creators promoting smuggling services.

Backed by Prosecutors and Investigators

Joanne Jakymec, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS, confirmed collaboration with the Home Office to help shape the offense. She stated that the CPS “won’t hesitate to charge cases where we have evidence of suspects using social media to advertise small boat crossings, fake travel documents, or illegal working opportunities.”

New funding will also support recruitment of specialist lawyers to focus on immigration crime prosecutions, reinforcing the legal backbone of the initiative.

High-Profile Cases Fuel Reform

The NCA cited cases like that of a South Wales gang convicted in November 2024 for smuggling thousands of migrants, and Preston-based Amanj Hasan Zada, who was jailed for 17 years after using social media to showcase his success stories. Albanian networks promoting £12,000 “package deals” to Britain will also fall under the scope of the new law.

Since December 2021, the NCA has worked with social media firms to remove over 22,000 posts promoting people-smuggling, including more than 8,000 in 2024 alone — a 40% increase over the previous year.

Stronger Legal Tools and International Deal

The bill will also criminalize handling items suspected of being used in illegal migration—such as small boat parts—or collecting intelligence for smuggling operations. These offenses could lead to sentences of up to 14 years in prison.

Last month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration struck a new returns agreement with France. Under the deal, illegal small boat arrivals may be returned to France, while a legal migration route allows an equal number of migrants to come from France to the UK. The pilot aims to undermine smuggling networks and reduce risky crossings.

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