The government is to outlaw social media adverts promoting small boat crossings to the UK, making it a specific criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison and a hefty fine. The move targets smugglers who use online platforms to advertise illegal journeys, fake passports, visas, and work opportunities.
The change will be introduced via an amendment to the border security bill, currently in its final stages in the House of Lords. While facilitating illegal immigration is already a crime, the new offence explicitly covers creating material for online publication that promotes or offers services leading to a breach of UK immigration law, including advertising small boat crossings and selling false documents.
According to Home Office data, 80% of migrants arriving on small boats said they used social media during their journey to locate or communicate with people smugglers. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated, “Selling the false promise of a safe journey to the UK … is nothing short of immoral. These criminals have no issue with leading migrants to life-threatening situations using brazen tactics on social media.”
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has already taken action against organised crime groups using social media, including a south Wales-based gang convicted in November 2024 and Preston-based smuggler Amanj Hasan Zada, jailed for 17 years. Cases of Albanian smugglers offering £12,000 “package deals” for travel, accommodation, and employment also fall under the new law.
