The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) on 01.02.2013 warned international students to be aware of individuals impersonating departmental officers seeking payment for alleged breaches of their visa conditions.
The scammers are targeting overseas students in Australia who have limited working rights as part of their visa conditions. Some students, the department has been told, have received “fine notices” demanding payment of thousands of dollars for unlawfully working above 40 hours a fortnight.
A departmental spokesman said it was a well-organised ruse to con visa holders into transferring a purported “penalty payment” offshore, when none is needed. “The department has received information from a number of students who have been contacted by people claiming to be from immigration-related agencies,” the spokesman said.
“Con artists claiming to be from DIAC tell their targets that their visa working conditions have been breached, advising that a fine has been issued and must be paid in full. “Anyone contacted by people seeking such payments should refuse to pay, and should report the incident to police”, the spokesman added.
All such incidents also should be reported to the relevant state or territory police and to the Immigration Dob-In Line on 1800 009 623.
The scammers are targeting overseas students in Australia who have limited working rights as part of their visa conditions. Some students, the department has been told, have received “fine notices” demanding payment of thousands of dollars for unlawfully working above 40 hours a fortnight.
A departmental spokesman said it was a well-organised ruse to con visa holders into transferring a purported “penalty payment” offshore, when none is needed. “The department has received information from a number of students who have been contacted by people claiming to be from immigration-related agencies,” the spokesman said.
“Con artists claiming to be from DIAC tell their targets that their visa working conditions have been breached, advising that a fine has been issued and must be paid in full. “Anyone contacted by people seeking such payments should refuse to pay, and should report the incident to police”, the spokesman added.
All such incidents also should be reported to the relevant state or territory police and to the Immigration Dob-In Line on 1800 009 623.
