Indians Sentenced For Immigration Fraud

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will review the immigration status of four Indian nationals who were today convicted and sentenced to home detention for various immigration fraud offences.

INZ fraud and compliance manager Peter Elms says consideration will be given to revoking their residence and deporting them now that they have been convicted.

The sentences, handed down in the Auckland District Court, were:

• Shinder Kaur, 54, and her husband Jagroop Singh also known as Ram Singh (two charges each under the Immigration Act 1987): 4 months’ home detention
• Manpreet Singh, 27 (male): 8 months’ home detention (two charges)
• Paramjit Kaur, 38 (female): 10 months’ home detention (three Immigration Act and one Crimes Act charges).

They had admitted all charges. All are from Manurewa.

The four had fraudulently represented themselves to INZ as a family group and had obtained residence in New Zealand.

Mr Elms says fraud undermines the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system and Immigration will take action against those who seek to cheat the system.

“These offences occurred between 2002 and 2008,” he says. “This prosecution sends a message to others who might be tempted to lie to Immigration that the passage of time will not deter us from holding people to account. Inevitably people who rely on concocting false backgrounds and relationships will be found out. It’s just a matter of when.

“Identity fraud is a major challenge for us - the integrity of our immigration system is paramount, given its importance to New Zealand and our international reputation as a safe and secure country.”

Mr Elms says INZ is continuing to strengthen its work with international partners, including through the development of a biometric programme, to enable greater detection of people attempting identity fraud.