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A licensed immigration adviser has been sentenced to 10 months’ home detention after being found guilty of deceiving migrant construction workers into believing they had jobs awaiting them upon arrival in New Zealand.
Tzu Tong Ma, also known under the names Jane Ma and Zi Tong Ma, was sentenced yesterdayon three changes filed under the Immigration Act 2009.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has expressed support for Ma’s conviction, arguing her actions were in subversion of the country’s immigration system, and urged any migrants with similar experiences to come forward to allow INZ to investigate.
Ma’s conviction comes after she set up a fake scheme that duped three Chinese migrants into believing they had secured jobs before their respective moves to New Zealand.
As a licensed adviser, Ma had fabricated the roles by supplying fraudulent employment information and contract agreements when submitting three Accredited Employer Work Visa applications on behalf of the Chinese nationals in February 2023.
All three migrants paid significant sums of money before their move, under the impression they had secured genuine jobs, but learned soon after touchdown that the guaranteed employment was, in fact, nonexistent.
The licensed adviser supplied fraudulent employment information and contract agreements when lodging the Accredited Employer Work Visa applications in February 2023. Photo / 123rf
Steve Watson, INZ’s general manager of immigration compliance and investigations, said the agency is committed to shutting down similar schemes, noting the sentencing reinforces both its pledge and the severity of Ma’s actions and associated outcomes.
“This case reflects the real harm caused when individuals abuse their professional position and exploit migrants seeking opportunities in New Zealand,” Watson said.
“We will not tolerate this kind of offending. Anyone who seeks to profit from vulnerable people or undermine the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system will be held to account.”
Watson said consequences would be dealt to those who “break the law, misuse your position, or take advantage of migrants for financial gain – including through false job offers“.
“We urge anyone who believes they have been misled or pressured into paying for job offers or visa support to contact us. Every piece of information helps us prevent others from being exploited,” he said.
“Ma’s actions were deliberate and undermined the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system.
“We expect everyone to play by the rules, and anyone who exploits migrants for personal gain should be clear – we will not stand for it.”
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