16 September 2008 PA/11/08
Australia warns public over work visa scam
The Australian Government has become aware of a visa scam operating through a local unregistered migration agent in the Bangalore and Karnataka regions.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s New Delhi office has received a number of phone calls from people seeking to verify their “work permit visa” to Australia.
People can only obtain valid Australian working visas through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The fraudulent visas were purported to be temporary business (long stay) subclass 457 visas.
The subclass 457 visa is a skilled visa. If the job promised involves unskilled labour such as fruit-picking, clients should be immediately wary.
Clients should be reminded that if they have obtained a fake visa, they will not be permitted entry to Australia.
The Australian Government urges clients to check the bona fides of their migration agent thoroughly before parting with any money.
Steps clients can take to protect themselves are verifying visa application charges through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s website, www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/visa-charges.htm , or check to see if their migration agent is registered by the Australian Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) www.mara.com.au .
As an alternative, clients can lodge their applications directly through the Australian Government’s service delivery partner, VFS. For the nearest outlet, call 1300 010 706 or visit www.vfs-au-in.com .
If anyone suspects they may have been the victim of this scam, they are urged to contact the Australian High Commission on 91 11 4149 4431 or [email protected] to discuss their circumstances.
The Australian Government urges people who have been the victims of visa fraud to report the matter to Indian police.