The influencers will be paid to tell their audience potential migrants face being deported to Rwanda (Picture: PA)
The government is now turning to Tiktok stars to help reduce the number of small boat arrivals, with foreign influencers being paid £5,000 if they tell their followers not to come to Britain.
Influencers in Albania, Iraq, Egypt and Iran may be approached by the Home Office to help with their plan for the modern-day ‘public information film’.
It is hoped the Tiktok videos will successfully target harder to reach groups who are more susceptible to human traffickers.
The government has set aside £100,000 for the project and forms part of a £1 million advertising campaign.
The influencers will be paid to tell their audience potential migrants face being deported to Rwanda or they will not be able to work, according to the Times.
Private company Multicultural Marketing Consultancy has been hired by the Home Office to find Tiktok stars they think are suitable.
One Albanian rapper, known as ‘Omg Dioh’, has been selected as a suitable candidate because he ‘uses the platform to influence and educate youngesers to work hard and follow their passions’.
Comedian Roxhi Dibran, who has 150,000 followers, has also been approached.
It is hoped the Tiktok videos will successfully target harder to reach groups (Picture: Shutterstock/Alex from the Rock)
A Home Office spokesman said: ‘People smugglers frequently use social media to peddle lies and promote their criminal activities and it is vital that we utilise the same platforms to inform migrants about the truths about crossing the Channel and coming to the UK illegally.
‘We make no apologies for using every means necessary to stop the boats and save lives.’
It comes as Mr Sunak faces increasing pressure to ensure deportation flights to Rwanda begin, even making a £1,000 bet with Piers Morgan the first will take off before the next election.
Last month at least five people died in French waters after a boat carrying dozens of migrants to Britain overturned.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak made a bet with Piers Morgan the deportation flights to Rwanda will begin before the next election
The bodies of five people of Syrian or Iraqi nationality were recovered, maritime prefecture officials told France 24.
Refugee rights groups stress that, for many who make the perilous and sometimes fatal trip, they don’t have much of a choice.
So-called ‘legal’ safe routes are few and far between for those fleeing famine, poverty and war, groups such as the International Rescue Committee say.
Data from the International Organization for Migration’s Missing Migrants Project suggest that more than 200 people have died at sea while trying to reach the UK since 2014.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more by signing up to Metro’s News Updates newsletter
News Related-
High court unanimously ruled indefinite detention was unlawful while backing preventive regime
-
Cheika set for contract extension as another Wallabies head coaching candidate slips by
-
Analysis-West's de-risking starts to bite China's prospects
-
'Beyond a joke' Labor won't ensure PTSD protections: MP
-
Formula One season driver ratings: Lando Norris shines as Max Verstappen nears perfection
-
Catalina golfer Tony Riches scores Guinness World Record four holes in one on same hole
-
Florida coach Billy Napier fires assistants Sean Spencer, Corey Raymond with expected staff shakeup ahead
-
Rohingyan refugee NZYQ accidentally named in documents published by high court
-
Colorado loses commitments of 2 more high school recruits
-
Queensland Health issues urgent patient safety alert over national bacteria outbreak
-
Townsville Community Pantry 'distressed' by fruit, vegetable waste at Aldi supermarket
-
What Is The Beaver Moon And What Does It Mean For You?
-
Labor senator Pat Dodson to resign from politics due to health issues
-
Hamas releases 11 more hostages, as Israel agrees to extend ceasefire