A pair of Hungarian nationals have been sentenced over a "sustained and calculated deception" involving false identities and forged documents to gain visas and residency in New Zealand.
A 50-year-old man and 44-year-old woman, both with interim name suppression, were today sentenced in the Auckland District Court after pleading guilty to 16 charges of immigration and identity fraud.
The man was sentenced to three years in prison, while the woman was sentenced to 11 months' home detention.
Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) national manager investigations Jason Perry said the couple's deception came to light following an investigation by Immigration NZ.
The couple arrived in New Zealand in March, 2011, using the identities of Hungarian nationals who were known to them.
In 2008, the man was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for forgery and corruption in Hungary – a history which was "deliberately concealed" from Immigration NZ.
Between 2011 and 2014, the pair submitted a series of fraudulent visa applications – including visitor, work, residence, and citizenship applications – using forged documents and false declarations.
The couple also used a forged adoption order and birth certificates to obtain visas for the man's son between 2015 and 2016.
Between 2017 and 2019, the pair were also found to have used false information in citizenship applications for themselves and their daughter.
In August 2022, the man admitted to the deception during an interview with Immigration NZ. The woman declined to be interviewed.
'Exploited the goodwill of NZ'
Perry said the scale of the couple's immigration and identity fraud "was not a one-off lapse in judgement".
"It was a sustained and calculated deception over many years. The defendants exploited the goodwill of New Zealand’s immigration system and undermined its integrity."
He added that the "scale and sophistication of the offending is deeply concerning".
"It involved multiple layers of deceit, including the use of real identities, forged documents, and false declarations across a range of visa categories."
Department of Internal Affairs' manager of investigations Mireille Johnson said the case highlighted the "sophisticated methods some individuals use to manipulate identity systems, and the importance of robust security measures and strong inter-agency collaboration".
"We remain committed to protecting the integrity of New Zealand’s identity and citizenship systems and ensuring that those who attempt to exploit them are held to account."
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