Bangladeshi couple, Jahangir Alam and Taj Parvin Shilpi, have been found guilty of 40 charges of immigration and identity fraud spanning 20 years.
The pair were charged after Immigration New Zealand identified the offences, with the ensuing investigation spanning six years.
Both were found guilty on Friday following a 13-day jury trial at the Auckland District Court, with sentencing set to occur on 22 May.
The court heard how Alam used his brother’s identity to obtain a visitor visa and enter New Zealand. Subsequently, he secured a work permit, residence visa, and ultimately New Zealand Citizenship and two New Zealand passports. Alam also used this identity to support 14 applications for immigration permits and visas for his wife, Shilpi and one for his mother, Immigration NZ outlined in a statement.
The visa application for Alam’s mother was declined.
Both Alam and Shilpi knew that Alam was not using his genuine identity along with other false or misleading information to Immigration New Zealand in advancing those applications, the agency said.
Alam’s real name and date of birth remain unknown, as does the reason why he withheld his true identity.
General Manager Immigration Compliance & Investigations, Steve Watson said the conviction was significant for Immigration New Zealand and sends a strong message that providing fraudulent information to Immigration NZ will not be tolerated.
“This kind of offending strikes at the heart of the immigration system, undermining its integrity,” said Mr Watson.
“We expect applicants to provide honest and complete information to show that they meet the requirements to be granted a visa, or to be allowed to enter New Zealand.
“Anyone who provides false information to Immigration New Zealand will be investigated and held to account for their actions.”
“An investigation of this scale is extremely complex, and I’m incredibly proud of our dedicated investigations team who worked across the immigration system to thoroughly investigate this case and eventually bring it before the courts six years later.
“We were able to identify this criminal offending, prevent further offences from being committed and ultimately hold Alam and Shilpi accountable,” he said.
To report a case of fraud, contact the MBIE reporting line on 0800 200 088. To report an issue anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
