How CoS Fraud Works in London
Care sector and domestic worker roles are disproportionately targeted. Fraudsters register shell companies in London postcodes, obtain or replicate sponsor licence details, and issue fake CoS documents to workers paying £2,000–£5,000 in agent fees. The job offer looks real. The company exists on Companies House. The CoS reference number is correctly formatted. The employer's sponsor licence was revoked six months ago.
Over 600 care-sector sponsors in London had their licences revoked or suspended in the last 24 months. Every week, new shell companies register at serviced office addresses in East London, Croydon, and Newham — postcodes with high housing turnover and low scrutiny from neighbours.
If you have received a CoS for a care, domestic, or support role from a London employer, run a full 25-signal verification before submitting your visa application. SponsorShield checks the live UKVI register, Companies House status, SOC code validity, salary thresholds, and PDF forensics — in 60 seconds.
Red Flags for London Applicants
- 1Job offer arrived via WhatsApp or Facebook from someone you have never met in person
- 2Employer is a care home, nursing agency, or domestic staffing firm
- 3Agent arranged both the job offer and the CoS on your behalf
- 4Salary on the CoS is exactly at the minimum threshold — no rounding
- 5Company registered at a serviced office or virtual address in East London