Immigration officials in Australia are warning that hundreds of visa applications may have been lodged as part of a fake marriage scam. They are scrutinising hundreds of potentially illegal documents after uncovering a fake marriage scam linked to a well known Melbourne migration agent.
Documents and computer equipment have been seized at an address in the city after Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) investigators executed a search warrant following extensive investigation into the agent’s activities. ‘It would be premature to say whether charges will be laid as a result of this operation,’ said a DIAC spokesman, ‘The department takes allegations of immigration fraud very seriously. Any activities that undermine the integrity of Australia’s visa regime will not be tolerated by authorities’ he added.
The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into allegations a Melbourne based migration agent was involved in a scheme to arrange fraudulent partner visas for Vietnamese nationals. The department estimates hundreds of visa applications may have been lodged on the basis of fake marriages and contrived relationships.
‘It’s too early to speculate on the outcome of spouse visa applications that have been lodged, but all visa applications connected to this operation face significant scrutiny,’ the spokesman explained, adding, ‘The department welcomes any information from the community about immigration and citizenship offences and fraud’.
Quote from AustraliaForum.com : “Visa holders in Australia are being warned that there are a number of scammers operating who are telephoning people asking for payments to regularise non-existent irregularities.”
For matters relating to identity crime, migration services and citizenship offences, people are encouraged to contact the DIAC and for matters relating to the conduct of registered migration agents, people can contact the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).
Documents and computer equipment have been seized at an address in the city after Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) investigators executed a search warrant following extensive investigation into the agent’s activities. ‘It would be premature to say whether charges will be laid as a result of this operation,’ said a DIAC spokesman, ‘The department takes allegations of immigration fraud very seriously. Any activities that undermine the integrity of Australia’s visa regime will not be tolerated by authorities’ he added.
The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into allegations a Melbourne based migration agent was involved in a scheme to arrange fraudulent partner visas for Vietnamese nationals. The department estimates hundreds of visa applications may have been lodged on the basis of fake marriages and contrived relationships.
‘It’s too early to speculate on the outcome of spouse visa applications that have been lodged, but all visa applications connected to this operation face significant scrutiny,’ the spokesman explained, adding, ‘The department welcomes any information from the community about immigration and citizenship offences and fraud’.
Quote from AustraliaForum.com : “Visa holders in Australia are being warned that there are a number of scammers operating who are telephoning people asking for payments to regularise non-existent irregularities.”
For matters relating to identity crime, migration services and citizenship offences, people are encouraged to contact the DIAC and for matters relating to the conduct of registered migration agents, people can contact the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).
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