Media Release
A sophisticated scheme that allegedly arranged fraudulent weddings between Indian men and Australian women has been shut down following a joint Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) operation today.
Nine Queensland properties and several bank accounts linked to the alleged fake marriage scam were also frozen.
DIAC investigators and AFP officers searched premises believed to have been used to arrange and perform some of the bogus ceremonies from which documents and computer equipment were taken for further examination.
“DIAC treats allegations of immigration fraud seriously, and activities that undermine the integrity of the visa regime will not be tolerated by Australian authorities,” a DIAC spokesman said today. “The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into allegations that a Queensland man and his wife, among others, allegedly operated a sophisticated scheme to arrange fraudulent weddings between Indian men and Australian women.
“The Australian women were allegedly paid money by the organisers of the scheme and the Indian men lodged visa applications to stay in Australia using the fraudulent marriages as the basis of their claims.”
DIAC estimates that as many as 50 visa applications have been lodged on the basis of the sham marriages.
“It’s too early to speculate on the outcome of the spouse visa applications that have been lodged, but all visa applications connected to the operation will be subject to significant scrutiny,” the spokesman said.
The properties and bank accounts were restrained under Commonwealth proceeds of crime legislation. This action was undertaken by the Commonwealth Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce. The AFP-led taskforce brings together resources from the AFP, Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Crime Commission.
DIAC encourages the community to provide information relating to immigration and citizenship offences and fraud by contacting 1800 009 623 or by visiting the department’s website at www.immi.gov.au. For matters relating to the conduct of registered migration agents, people should contact the Office of the MARA on 1300 226 272.
