An immigration adviser has pleaded not guilty in the Auckland District Court today over a scam that saw dozens of Indian and Bangladeshi men forced to live in overcrowded homes with no work and pay.
The defendant has appeared before Judge Steve Bonnar KC where he elected for a trial by jury. The judge has granted interim name suppression until his next court appearance.
He'd been arrested on October 20 and charged for providing false information to Immigration New Zealand. It came following a raid of his home and business. The charges come with a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000.
Read more: Analysis: How concerned is Immigration NZ about exploitation?
In a statement released last week, Immigration New Zealand alleged the adviser was involved in a "complex scam" that sold false job offers to offshore migrants.
Many of the men had paid between $20,000 to $40,000 for a job and a false work visa, but upon arriving in the country they found the jobs did not exist.
INZ's national manager of investigations Stephanie Greathead said the scam preyed upon the vulnerability of those who'd been looking to provide for their families.
"Footage of migrants housed in awful conditions in Auckland shocked New Zealand and undermined trust and confidence in our immigration system."
It's understood the adviser's license is still current.
In a statement, the national manager for occupational regulation at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Duncan Connor, told 1News by law, an immigration adviser cannot have an active license if they are convicted of an offence under the Immigration Act.
"It is important to note that this provision is only effective should the charges result in a conviction," he said.
The plight of the workers came to light earlier this year, with reports they'd been lured here with offers of work that did not exist. They'd arrived under the Accredited Work Visa Scheme.
That scheme is being independently reviewed following concerns that in many cases the verification of employers wasn't happening.
Immigration said investigations are ongoing and further charges are likely.
SHARE ME