Migrant workers exploited by fake immigration official

Relevant impacts: Human impact, financial impact and reputational impact

A Bangladeshi national created documents using the then Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship seal in an effort to extract fees for visa applications, which were never lodged. He defrauded 23 Singapore-based Bangladeshi construction workers. He was also found to have falsely represented himself as an immigration official to seven people in July 2011 during which he told the ‘applicants’ their visa applications had been delayed but would be progressed. Following payment of the initial fee of $1,510, the applicants were asked to pay further fees for medical examinations.

The man pleaded guilty to making a false Commonwealth document and falsely representing to be a Commonwealth employee. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison.