The Federal Court of Australia has ordered three people to pay a total of $140,000 in fines after an extensive Australian Border Force (ABF) investigation into a fraudulent cash for visas scheme.
Inquiries by ABF officers revealed a 43-year-old man had made - or offered to make payments - to two other men, aged 41 and 49, on numerous occasions for agreeing to sponsor visas for overseas workers to work in Victorian businesses.
The matter was presented in the Federal Court, where it was heard the 43-year-old man made payments to the 41-year-old man on 6 July 2017, 8 August 2017, 6 September 2017, 4 January 2018 and 18 October 2018 in return for him agreeing to sponsor visas for overseas workers to work in a fruit growing and packing business based in Tatura, Victoria.
Further, the 43-year-old man either made, or offered to make, payments to the 49-year-old man on 8 August 2017, and again on 4 January 2018, in return for him agreeing to sponsor visas for overseas workers to work in a fruit orchard business in Shepparton, Victoria.
On Monday 1 April 2024, the court issued the three men with penalties totalling $140,000 for multiple incidents of visa fraud.
The 43-year-old individual was found to have contravened section 245AS(1) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) on five occasions and the court imposed a $100,000 penalty.
The 41-year-old and 49-year-old men each received a $20,000 penalty for receiving payments from the other man.
Regional Investigations (VIC/TAS) Superintendent Simone Mendes said the ABF is constantly vigilant to incidents of visa fraud.
"The ABF will continue to detect, disrupt and deter those who seek to undermine the integrity of Australia's migration system, through the sale of non-genuine visas and exploitation foreign workers for a financial benefit," Superintendent Mendes said.
"Registered Migration Agents and businesses who seek to engage in visa fraud schemes are firmly in our sights, and our message is simple: the exploitation of migrant workers and circumvention of Australia's migration system will cost you."
Investigations by ABF officers into similar and other fraudulent visa schemes are ongoing.
Members of the community are encouraged to report suspicious border-related activity through Border Watch at abf.gov.au/borderwatch. By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia's border and the community. Reports can be made anonymously.
