New Zealand Immigration Fraud Scheme impacts Indian nationals - Investing Abroad News
Through the category of Accredited Employer Work Visas offered by Immigration New Zealand, work visas were fraudulently obtained. New Zealand Police and Immigration officers from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) visited locations connected to a licensed immigration adviser (LIA), responsible for a complex immigration fraud scheme involving Indian and Bangladeshi nationals in Auckland. 3 search warrants were simultaneously executed at the business and home addresses of the LIA. The LIA had become involved in a scam selling false job offers to offshore migrants and fraudulently obtaining work visas through Immigration New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa category. The scam required migrants to pay between NZD $20,000 and $40,000 for a job and a visa, which they found did not exist. The LIA was arrested following the completion of the search warrants and charged with 2 counts of providing false and misleading information to immigration New Zealand, an offence under section 342(1)(b) of the Immigration Act 2009 which carries a maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine.
Publié : il y a 2 ans par Sunil Dhawan dans Business
New Zealand Police and immigration officers from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) visited locations connected to a licensed immigration adviser who is allegedly responsible for a complex immigration fraud scheme involving Indian and Bangladeshi people in Auckland.
3 search warrants were simultaneously executed at the business and home addresses of a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA).
The investigation found the LIA had become involved in a scam to sell false job offers to offshore migrants and fraudulently obtain work visas through Immigration New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa category. The LIA was responsible for acting on behalf of each migrant to submit their work visa application to Immigration New Zealand.
The scam required migrants to pay between NZD $20,000 and $40,000 for a job and a visa. Upon arriving in New Zealand, they found the jobs did not exist. They were subsequently housed in overcrowded properties.
Stephanie Greathead, Immigration National Manager Investigations, says the scam preyed upon the vulnerability of those who were looking to improve the livelihoods of themselves and their families by bringing their skills and experience to New Zealand.
“Footage of migrants housed in awful conditions in Auckland shocked New Zealand, and undermined trust and confidence in our immigration system. Immigration New Zealand continues to investigate this case to bring all those responsible to justice.”
The LIA was arrested following the completion of the search warrants and charged with 2 counts of providing false and misleading information to Immigration New Zealand, an offence under section 342(1)(b) of the Immigration Act 2009 which carries a maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine. The investigation is ongoing and further charges are likely.
Investigations continue into various persons of interest linked to this case.
Les sujets: Social Issues, Immigration, New Zealand, Fraud, Corruption