Sentencing in major immigration fraud investigation

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has concluded a major investigation into a long-running immigration fraud scheme orchestrated by Umesh Patel, a 59-year-old New Zealand citizen.

Patel appeared in the Waitakere District Court on Wednesday for sentencing having pleaded guilty to multiple offences relating to the creation of false employment arrangements to support visa applications for foreign nationals.

Patel was sentenced to 9 months’ home detention with 6 months’ post-detention conditions for the following charges:

•  21 counts of Providing False or Misleading Information to an Immigration Officer under section 342(1)(b) of the Immigration Act 2009, and
• 16 counts of Forgery under section 256(1) of the Crimes Act 1961.

The charges relate to a scheme in which Patel created false employment arrangements to support visa applications for foreign nationals. While some of his businesses were initially legitimate, Patel later used them to fabricate jobs and submit fraudulent documentation to Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Applicants were required to pay between NZD $10,000 and NZD $30,000 for Patel’s services. They were instructed to deposit money into company accounts under the guise of business income, which Patel then returned to them as wages, less PAYE deductions, to create the illusion of genuine employment. These falsified transactions were used to mislead INZ and support visa approvals.

“This was a calculated and exploitative scheme that undermined the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system,” said Steve Watson, General Manager of Immigration Compliance and Investigations.

“While some of the individuals involved may have performed limited work, in many cases there was never any intention to provide real employment. This type of offending is serious and will not be tolerated.”

Patel also enlisted the help of associates and individuals who had previously obtained residence through his scheme, registering them as directors of the companies involved. These individuals had limited or no actual control over the businesses, while Patel retained operational oversight and decision-making authority. This approach enabled him to conceal his involvement and broaden the scope of the offending.

“INZ is committed to upholding the integrity of the immigration system and ensuring it operates fairly for all,” said Steve Watson.

“This case demonstrates that those who deliberately mislead immigration authorities and exploit the Immigration system for personal gain will be identified and held to account.”

INZ is continuing to assess the immigration status of individuals affected by the scheme.