An underground market for fake asylum requests harms gay and lesbian refugees needing real help. The BBC investigated this phenomenon and spoke with people fabricating false evidence.

An undercover journalist met two persons offering fake testimonies and forged documents. They charged hundreds of pounds for these services. This happens mainly in countries taking homo and lesbian asylum claims seriously. Criminals abuse this system to earn money.

The problem is large. Real LGBTQ+ refugees with legitimate asylum requests now face more distrust from officials. Many flee countries where gays are imprisoned or sentenced to death. When false material appears, authorities doubt real stories too.

Human rights organisations warn this endangers protection of truly persecuted people. Asylum officials find it increasingly difficult distinguishing false from real cases. This delays procedures and costs lives of truly threatened people.