A 32-year-old Indian national has been arrested for serious offences under the Migration Act 1958 after allegedly applying for a protection visa using a false identity and fraudulent identity documents.
He presented at Quakers Hill police station in Sydney after an arrest warrant was obtained by Australian Border Force (ABF) investigators for the alleged migration fraud.
The man was charged with furnishing a document containing false or misleading information under section 234(1)(c) of the Act.
He appeared in Blacktown Local Court on 6 December 2018 and was refused bail.
ABF investigators will allege that after being refused a protection visa using a different name in 2015, the man obtained a false identity and subsequently attempted to apply for a protection visa in Australia using that identity.
ABF Superintendent Investigations NSW, Garry Low said this should serve as a warning to people who think they can exploit the visa system.
"Providing false information on a visa application is a serious offence and the ABF actively pursues the prosecution of people found engaging in these types of crimes," Superintendent Low said.
"If convicted, the offence carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to $110,000."
The man is scheduled to appear in Parramatta Local Court on 12 January 2019.
Protecting the integrity of the migration system is an operational priority for the ABF.
People with information about suspected migration fraud are encouraged to report it to border watch online atwww.Australia.gov.au/borderwatch. You can remain anonymous.
