Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Two visa agents in Thailand have been caught by local authorities after Immigration New Zealand flagged they were providing fake documents for visitor visa applicants.
AEC Thai Development Co. Ltd, run by Jirasin Bunyasing, had been targeting rural workers and issuing false bank statements and employment letters.
Immigration New Zealand found more than 100 cases where visitors planned to come to New Zealand and potentially work illegally in the horticulture and viticulture sectors.
Bunyasing was charging $1140 for the fake evidence with no refund if applicants were declined.
The Royal Thai Police found a large number of fraudulent applications to Australia, the UK, and South Korea after they executed a search warrant.
Bunyasing made a full confession on video, including demonstrating how he fraudulently altered the documents.
Charges have been laid against Bunyasing and one of his employees, with initial charges being fraudulent use of a computer.
Immigration New Zealand national manager for risk and verification Geoff Scott said this was a great example of international authorities working together to stop people smuggling and visa fraud.
"This operation has assisted both New Zealand and Thailand in combating potential migrant exploitation, which could have occurred had these people travelled to New Zealand to work illegally.
"This helps set an example to other visa agents who believe they can get away with not following the rules and operating with impunity and anonymity," Scott said.
"We can find out who they are and, working with law enforcement in New Zealand and internationally, ensure they face appropriate consequences."