A Central Coast man has been
sentenced to four years' imprisonment, following an investigation into
significant visa and migration fraud offences.
An Australian Border Force
(ABF) investigation commenced in 2019, which included several federal agencies
encompassing the Australian Federal Police (AFP), AUSTRAC and Department of
Home Affairs.
The sentencing follows the 61-year-old
man pleading guilty to the following offences on 5 September 2025:
- Two (2) counts of aid/abet/procure/counsel other
persons to furnish or cause to be furnished documents containing false or
misleading statements or information to a person exercising powers under the Migration Act 1958. This is contrary to section 11.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) and
234(1)(c) Migration Act 1958.
- One (1) count of aid/abet/procure/counsel other
persons to present a forged or false document for any purpose, contrary to section
11.2(1) Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
and section 234(1)(a) Migration Act 1958.
Today (Thursday 18 December
2025), at the NSW District Court, the man was sentenced to a total of four
years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two (2) years and six (6) months.
In agreed facts, the man
charged visa applicants between $35,000 and $50,000 to assist with their visa
applications, regardless of the application outcome. The investigation also
identified the misappropriation of the Federal Government JobKeeper Program,
established to support businesses impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The AFP also charged the man
with obtaining financial advantage by deception and dealing with the proceeds
of crime, contrary to the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
ABF Investigations NSW/ACT
Acting Superintendent Mark Rea commended the ongoing diligence and
professionalism of the ABF Investigators who pursued this matter.
“Visa and migration fraud
investigations are extremely complex in nature, with perpetrators’ main
intention to exploit Australia’s visa and migration system for their own
personal gain,” Acting Superintendent Rea said.
“Not only are these ‘cash for
visa’ schemes exploiting the individual, but they are also abusing the broader
Australian community, whilst attempting to undermine the integrity and security
of Australia’s visa programs.
“If you know of someone who
is involved in migration fraud, is operating illegally as an unregistered
migration agent, or if you are a victim of migration fraud, please report it
via Australia's Border Watch program.”
Media
contact: media@abf.gov.au
