Indians sentenced for immigration fraud

Four Indian nationals were today convicted and sentenced to home detention for various immigration fraud offences. File photo / NZ Herald

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 said consideration will be given to revoking their residence and deporting them now they have been convicted.

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

Mr Elms said fraud undermined the integrity of New Zealand's immigration system and Immigration will take action against those who seek to cheat the system.

"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," he said. "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 said 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.

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.