A migrant conned out of his life savings by an immigration consultancy received refund after his niece complained to the Immigration Advisers Authority.
Na Jia said that her uncle had approached Sea Consultants and Investments Limited for help in applying for a work visa so that he could work as a chef in New Zealand and support his daughter through university.
Proprietor Jenny Fan negotiated fees of $20,000, four times Sea Consultant’s usual charge of $5000 and 17 times the industry median of $1150.
The Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal found that the inflated fee was likely to be an attempt to overcharge a naïve person or to induce an employer to provide a job.
Identity hijacked
Sea Consultants provided a fake contract to the chef and forged the signature of the firm’s only licensed immigration adviser on the visa application.
Wei Wang, a junior in the profession, remained unaware that her identity was being hijacked but was struck off by the tribunal for failure to supervise staff effectively and address the client’s situation when she became aware of it.
A Tribunal official said that Ms Wang’s failure was the result of being hopelessly out of her depth.
“The most concerning aspect of Ms Wang’s conduct was her failure to intervene when she knew the Uncle had been grossly overcharged. However, I am satisfied Ms Wang was influenced and manipulated by persons she regarded as senior and to be respected, and actively deceived.”
The Tribunal ordered Ms Wang to pay a penalty of $2000 and prevented her from reapplying for a full immigration adviser’s licence for two years.
Complaints heard
Immigration Advisers Authority Registrar Barry Smedts said this was an excellent example of why migrants should complain if they feel they have been misled. He advised people to check the Authority’s website for average fees charged by immigration consultants.
“This case saw a man’s life savings being restored to him after complaining to us. Migrants who have been mistreated have a clear choice: they can fill out a simple four-page complaints form and have a chance of getting their money back or they can remain silent and bear the loss. If you are unsure about your situation, call us on 0508-422422,” he said.
Regulatory role
Established in May 2008, the Immigration Advisers Authority regulates immigration advice both nationally and internationally.
It is responsible for overseeing the licensing of immigration advisers, receiving complaints about licensed and unlicensed immigration advisers, investigating and taking action against those breaching immigration advice law and maintaining a register of licensed immigration advisers.
Under the Immigration Licensing Act 2007, anyone giving immigration advice must have a licence unless they are an exempt person.
Exempt people include lawyers and those working at Citizens’ Advice Bureaus among others.
Source: Immigration Advisers Authority
