An immigration fraudster in New Zealand faces a possible jail term after an investigation by the Immigration Advisers Authority uncovered a $100,000 immigration scam.
Tengyu (Nick) Yuan, a New Zealand citizen from Albany, admitted providing immigration advice illegally to six migrants at Auckland District Court. The court heard Tengyu, director of Auckland City-based Noahark Consultant Limited, took large sums from migrants promising to secure them visas, only to carry out little or no work.
The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to six charges of providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a fine of $100,000 under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act.
Under the Act anyone providing New Zealand immigration advice must be licensed by the Authority unless exempt. Exempt persons include lawyers.
The Immigration Advisers Authority was set up to protect people receiving New Zealand immigration advice.
Anyone seeking help from an immigration adviser, consultant or agent is urged to check the Authority’s register of licensed immigration advisers.
The register contains an international list of licensed immigration advisers and can be checked either online or by contacting the Immigration Advisers Authority directly on freephone (from New Zealand) 0508 422 422.
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