Seven migration agent scammers have been deported from Australia for defrauding hundreds of visa applicants in a scam that netted them $1.4 million.
The group, who were operating illegally in Queensland and Victoria and had linked to organised crime, charged 470 tourists exorbitant fees to help them file fraudulent Protection Visa applications.
But the scheme was uncovered by an Australian Border Force investigation, and four of the agents have already been expelled from the country, while the other three are in immigration detention awaiting deportation, The Courier Mail reported.
The investigation found that the agents were charging large sums for unlawful advice about obtaining the visas, which are normally only granted to asylum seekers, and encouraged them to make false claims in order to secure bridging visas with work rights.
The ABF said the investigation was still operating and more migration agent scammers were expected to be charged.
Department of Home Affairs Citizenship and Humanitarian Policy Branch Assistant Secretary Lavinia Mitchell said the case should be a warning to dodgy visa applicants and migration agents alike.
“Scam agents may tell you to provide false or misleading information and false documents when applying for a Protection Visa. But this activity is illegal and could result in you, the applicant, facing large fines and possible jail time for up to 10 years,” she said.
“A Protection Visa is for asylum seekers, not for people who just want to stay longer in Australia to work,” Ms Mitchell said.
She said fraudulent applications slowed down the process for legitimate cases, and said Home Affairs was improving the application process so those who were ineligible were denied more swiftly.
Header image: ABF officers search a car during an unrelated visa and migration fraud investigation (ABF).
