For the UK, please? Can you be held in England because of unpaid hospital bills?

Question

My friend is seeing a guy who claims to stuck in London because his kid got sick over there and he wasn't able to pay the hospital bills. He says he has plenty of money but it's tied up and he can't get to it because he can't leave the country. He say's he owes 5 large, but has never asked my friend for the money. He's been stuck over there for months and claims he wants a serious relationship when he gets back. This sounds like a scam to me. My friend has no intent on giving him money, but I'm afraid she's wasting time even talking to him. So, please let me know if you know if this scenario is realistic. What are the laws in London. Thanks guys.

Answer 1

Hes not from the UK hes from Nigeria. I can tell you that now.

The UK has a free health care system for ANYBODY who comes in. So unless he went to a private hospital he doesnt need to pay anything. Dont fall for it  

Answer 2

Scam - definitely.

The National Health Service does ask foreign nationals for payment for any treatment, but is very bad at enforcing the payment, and would not alert the Customs and Immigration officials, so he could leave if he wanted to.

Answer 3

The first post is 100% correct ... this is most definitely a scam.

I work for the NHS

Answer 4

It's a scam.  

This is some information on the National Health Service

http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/uohs/services/...

Even the child had been admitted to a private clinic or had some treatment where he needed to pay the NHS, all he has to do is leave the country, they won't pursue him for the money unless he's planning to settle down long term in the UK.  

She's wasting her time, tell her to dump him and find someone else.