A licensed immigration advisor (LIA) was arrested in Auckland on Friday in connection with a work visa fraud in which at least 140 Indian and Bangladeshi migrants were caught up over the last few months.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) officers say they carried out searches at the office and residence of the immigration advisor on October 20.
“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 [INZ] Accredited Employer Work Visa [AEWV] 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 $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,” an MBIE press release said.
The investigations follow an INZ inquiry after 30 migrants–the first of the lot–caught up in visa fraud were found living in squalor in South Auckland in August. More jobless migrants were found holed up at properties across the city subsequently.
Stephanie Greathead, INZ’s 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 arrest on Friday followed the completion of the search warrants, and the LIA was charged with two counts of providing false and misleading information to INZ, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine, say immigration officials.
“The investigation is ongoing and further charges are likely. Investigations continue into various persons of interest linked to this case,” the MBIE released stated.