A 55-year-old man has been sanctioned by the Australian Border Force (ABF) for providing unregistered migration assistance.
The ABF received a referral from the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation Centre (MITA) in April 2020 about a detainee there who was going through the visa application process.
The 28-year-old detainee, a Vietnamese national, had arranged for his wife to pay the man $3,000 for migration advice, in relation to a Bridging Visa E application he was making whilst in the MITA.
The 55-year-old man, who is not a migration agent, had been purporting to be the one in dealings with the detainee.
ABF officers launched an investigation and found there was evidence to support an offence being committed under Section 280 of the Migration Act 1958.
ABF officers issued a penalty infringement notice to the 55-year-old man.
ABF Acting Superintendent Jessica Fensling, Regional Investigations, said the ABF is committed to stamping out the exploitation of vulnerable people who receive unregistered migration assistance.
"Unlawfully taking money from vulnerable and unwitting people is a terrible crime and the hurt that crimes of this nature cause is significant," A/g Superintendent Fensling said.
"Maintaining the integrity of Australia's migration program is paramount for our community and those seeking to become part of it, and we will not tolerate this kind of illegal activity.
"The ABF is on the ground every day and works in close collaboration with our law enforcement partners, so those doing the wrong thing will be caught and will face the consequences."
People with information about those providing unregistered migration assistance should contact Border Watch at borderwatch.gov.au.
By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia's border. Information can be provided anonymously.
