Student convicted in immigration fraud

Govt warns stringent action

Immigration fraud has been a continuing concern at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. However, with stronger measures in place, the Australian government has cracked down on some large-scale frauds and successfully convicted the offenders.

Shao Wen Yin, a former student at the now-defunct Sydney International College of Business (SICB), was found guilty on July 5 on two counts of supplying false documents – one an educational qualification in hospitality (commercial cookery) from the college, and the other a false work reference – with intent to fraudulently obtain an Australian permanent resident visa. He was sentenced to 200 hours’ community service.

This is the first criminal conviction in Australia arising from an investigation into large-scale fraud allegedly involving a college and large numbers of students using false qualifications to obtain permanent residence.

“This conviction sends a clear warning that the department will pursue the prosecution of people at all levels of organised scams, whether they operate educational institutions, people who provide migration advice without being registered, or people gaining advantage from these practices, ” a DIAC spokesperson said.

It is an offence under Australian immigration law to provide false documents