Immigration visa work fraud deceives hundreds of people from South and Central America into travelling to New Zealand
A 24-year-old Peruvian lady who turned to prostitution to pay back loans she took out to immigrate to New Zealand is one of many South American immigrants who have fallen victim to visa and job frauds.
About 250 South Americans, many of whom have been victims of frauds offering professions that lead to residency, have arrived here on work and visitor visas since the beginning of the year, according to the leader of a nonprofit that assists victims.
The Peruvian woman took out a debt of about $32,000 from loan sharks connected to gangs to pay an intermediary for a purportedly well-paying job and visa arrangements. The woman quickly realized she had been duped after arriving in New Zealand from Lima on merely a visiting visa.
The woman's South American family had hoped she would help them escape poverty, but after failing to make a payment on a debt balance that is rising daily, they are now the target of death threats. In a last-ditch effort to pay off the debt, the 24-year-old has turned to sex work, which is illegal for immigrants in New Zealand with temporary visas.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) General Manager of Verification and Compliance Richard Owen stated that the organization was aware of the claims and is looking into them.
According to reports INZ has received, recruitment is taking place in nations like Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Argentina, and up to 100 more people may be on their way here after being tricked into believing there will be jobs waiting for them.
Any claims that immigrants are paying for employment offers as a means of obtaining residency worry us greatly, said Owen.
We will raise these accusations through the proper procedures because we take them very seriously.
Depending on the type of visa, immigrants may submit an application or get an invitation to do so from a recognized employer, however some applications, such those for working holiday or partnership visas, do not demand a job offer.
Some of these migrant employees are allegedly also receiving invitations from accredited employers who have "sold" their rights to unaccredited companies.
To relieve immigrants from the employment restrictions they were initially committed to, INZ has awarded 31 variation of conditions work visas for migrants coming from Argentina (18), Chile (eight), Colombia (four), and Peru (one) in the six months leading up to June 20.
The Peruvian woman claimed she was promised a job managing Spanish-speaking migrant labourers at a construction company, at $43 per hour.
For the visa, agent fee, job offer, trip, and one month's rent, we required roughly $32,000. However, the agent claimed that within a year, I would be able to obtain residency and apply to sponsor my parents and brother to relocate here as well.
We were forced to borrow from shady lenders who are connected to gangs in Lima in order to obtain that money. In May, I moved to Auckland, but there was nothing there—no employment, no place to stay.
The woman, who requested anonymity, claimed that after they missed their first payment, gang members threatened to shoot her father.
I couldn't stop crying, and when I told a Chilean woman I met at the hostel where I was staying about my experience, she claimed she would introduce me to sex work.
I'm in a terrible situation and have no other options. I want to return home to be with my family, but if I do, we might all pass away.
About 20 imposter migrant workers have sought assistance from El Centro Kiwi NZ, according to Fernanda Penny, the organization's director.
Two certified immigration advisers at the centre are helping these people obtain work visas and various types of conditions.
Perez, who arrived on March 8, has now been given a six-month work visa for migrant exploitation.
For their relocation to New Zealand, both men had to borrow money from family and friends.
Anyone who has fallen victim to a visa scam is urged by INZ to contact local law enforcement in both their home country and the nation where the scam took place, and to include a copy of the report for INZ and NZ Crimestoppers.
Any New Zealand employer or organization that was impacted, according to the agency, should also contact the police or Crimestoppers.
Owen advised potential applicants to apply for visas directly through INZ's website rather than going through a middleman to protect themselves.
Additionally, if they required immigration counsel, they should only consult licensed immigration advisers or an exempt individual, such as a lawyer.
According to Owen, anyone looking for employment in New Zealand must take great care to avoid being defrauded of their money and receiving fraudulent job offers.
Before giving over any money, we advise individuals to safeguard themselves by confirming with the companies involved that any offers are legitimate.
People who want to work in New Zealand should be aware that INZ will reject a work visa application if the employment was given as a result of receiving cash in exchange for gaining that employment offer, he added.
