Smuggling gangs using TIKTOK to recruit migrants to pilot small boats across the Channel

SMUGGLING gangs are using TikTok to recruit migrants to pilot small boats across the Channel.

Those willing to steer the dinghies get a discounted or free ride to the UK from the Kurdish kingpins.

They are taught only to how to switch on the engine and where to put petrol.

Some are given a GPS tracker and a phone so they can make an SOS call to Border Force as soon as they enter our waters.

One picture shows a young pilot with the caption: “France UK 100% Good job £3,500.”

Many now hide their faces as they know UK authorities are attempting to identify pilots.

Most videos are taken down once they are flagged to TikTok, but not before they have reached possibly thousands of viewers.

Migrant Choul Phan Maker, 31, of South Sudan, was jailed for 20 months on Wednesday for piloting a 50-person dinghy last August.

A total of 2,051 people have made the dangerous crossing in March, the highest monthly figure so far this year.

It comes as 263 more migrants were picked up in the 21-mile wide Dover Straits in seven boats yesterday.

Wednesday saw the busiest day this year, when 514 migrants reached the UK in ten dinghies.

The latest figures bring the total for the year to 4,306.

The Home Office said 141 people smugglers were convicted last year, 80 for piloting small boats.

A spokesperson added: “People smugglers frequently use social media to peddle lies and promote their criminal activities.

“It is vital we utilise the same platforms to inform migrants about the truths about crossing the Channel and coming to the UK illegally.”