21 February 2013

Tongan woman admits guilt in widespread immigration scam

A woman has appeared in court to admit her part in a widespread immigration scam in the Tongan community.

Tongan national Khadijah Lolohea (also known as Khadijah PIU), of Mt Roskill, Auckland, pleaded guilty to providing immigration advice without a licence at Auckland District court yesterday (20 February 2013).

The nine charges were brought by the Immigration Advisers Authority following a multi-agency investigation.

Authority Registrar Barry Smedts said: “This is a significant result for the Immigration Advisers Authority. Victims had to trust us. They had to trust that reporting Lolohea to the Immigration Advisers Authority would not affect their visa applications. And they had to trust that, if they were in New Zealand illegally, the Authority had no power to deport them.”

Lolohea, 38, is to appear for sentencing on 23 May 2013.

The Immigration Advisers Authority licenses immigration advisers and takes complaints against immigration advisers. Find out more at www.iaa.govt.nz.

The Immigration Advisers Authority was set up in May 2008 to regulate immigration advice internationally.

It is responsible for:
• licensing immigration advisers.
• receiving complaints about licensed and unlicensed immigration advisers.
• investigating people giving immigration advice without a licence.
• maintaining a register of licensed immigration advisers.

Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 only those people who are licensed or exempt are able to give immigration advice about New Zealand. A person who provides immigration advice without being licensed or exempt commits an offence.

ENDS

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