Smugglers plot to dress migrants as England fans returning from Euros

Undercover reporter charged £5,000 for ‘guaranteed passage’ with homecoming supporters

HUMAN trafficking gangs plan to exploit chaos at Britain’s borders as hordes of football supporters return to the UK following the Euros, The Daily Telegraph can disclose. People smugglers are plotting to transport migrants from across Europe to France, disguise them as fans and embed them in groups travelling back to England.

A Daily Telegraph reporter, posing as a migrant from Egypt intent on reaching the UK from Athens, spoke to a series of smugglers offering him passage to England.

The disclosure follows warnings by French prosecutors that gangs have paid English smugglers to take migrants across the Channel in their cars.

Smugglers claim the method provides virtually “guaranteed passage” to the UK.

They believe that the return of England fans to Britain in thousands of cars and coaches would provide cover for a wave of paying migrants.

The Home Office declined to confirm whether additional security measures would be taken.

Anne Main, a Conservative MP, said: “It would be entirely negligent of the Home Office not to take action if there is good evidence to show that people may try to enter the country illegally. I would expect an appropriate response by our Border Force.” The Daily Telegraph’s reporter was told by a German smuggler that it would cost €3,200 (£2,650) to get him from Greece to France, and a further €3,000 to cross the Channel.

Speaking on Viber, an encrypted social media tool, the smuggler said: “My deal with you [is] going to be three attempts to go to France. God willing we will succeed from the first attempt. But I repeat, the time is limited, you must hurry up.”

Explaining the route, the smuggler said: “In brief, we will smuggle you with the English fans, there is a deal with some people.” He added that he would be travelling “with families”.

After agreeing a price, the smuggler asked The Telegraph’s reporter to send a photograph of himself so he could find a passport with a similar photo. He provided the number of his agent in Athens to start arranging the first part of the trip to France.

The Home Office said that the situation at the border is “under constant review” and that “an agile, flexible and intelligence-led approach is maintained at all times”.