That surprises me. I would think all applicants would undergo a background check. I just assumed that since they scanned my fingerprints that would be done automatically.
That won't work until all the countries share information, which I doubt will be far away now. But in the past it has been very easy for dishonest people to use deception for a UK visa as they just lie on the application. In the past, the UK has relied on honsety.
The infamous "Lord Haw Haw" was jung for treason in London, but it was discovered that he lied to get British citizenship.
Using deception is very serious and although uk-yankee always tell people not to use deception, it's not the same on other sites. With all the checks into their history the UK is making, there are always posts on those forums now from people who have been caught under the new checks. Even Brtiish citzenship can be removed if they used deception in any application, even if they didn't use that application as part of their British citizenship application.
The EU allows criminals to live in other EU countries, even if that country has deported them when they are released from jail. These criminals rely on remaining in the UK on EU laws as they will never get citizenship: unless they lie, but then they risk having BC removed at a later date when they are caught out in that lie. EU laws end on Brexit.
It is going to get harder for these dishonest people.