A man Immigration New Zealand is investigating over the exploitation of more than 100 migrants has been under scrutiny from officials for more than 15 years.
Newshub can reveal one of the companies believed to be linked to the exploitation was able to maintain its Immigration New Zealand (INZ) accreditation despite being the subject of liquidation proceedings.
The developments have advocates asking more questions about the controversial Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme.
Last month Newshub blew the lid on what immigration officials believe is a widespread case of exploitation involving 115 migrants, several companies, properties and individuals.
Now Newshub can also reveal one of those individuals allegedly behind the exploitation has been under INZ scrutiny for nearly two decades.
Ravi Kumar Anthony is hard to track down - no pictures, no clear link to an address, and Newshub's phone calls went unanswered.
But we have uncovered text messages sent by Anthony to one of the migrants brought here.
On June 19, the migrant said he's been here since April 25 and asked Anthony to "kindly give me work". Anthony replied "don't worry, couple of days".
It's understood under the name Anthony Reddy he was also involved in a similar case. A 2016 RNZ report alleges he scammed another migrant out of $4600.
At the time, Reddy had already been under INZ scrutiny for nine years, and it's understood he did go through the courts but is now involved, it appears, in the latest case.
"It's certainly a massive concern. And it also reinforces our concerns about the scheme as well as the system as well," said Union Network of Migrants president Mandeep Bela.
CPL Recruitment is one of the companies that offered contracts to jobless migrants at a Papakura property.
Documents suggest the company, registered as Sung Solutions, remained accredited by INZ despite facing liquidation proceedings from the IRD.
Another company run by CPL director Ross Berry was liquidated back in January. Documents show it owes upwards of $850,000.
"What we know is that there are thousands and thousands of accreditations approved over the last year and it appears there haven't been much checks done on it," Bela said.
Bela said extending the migrant exploitation visa from six to 12 months is crucial. At a closed meeting last week, Immigration Minister Andrew Little promised to look into it.
"I have a meeting with officials first thing on Monday morning to make sure that the issues you've told me about I can relay to them and tell them what they need to be doing," Little said.
As those on the frontline cry out for solutions they say it's impossible to know how many migrants here are facing this kind of plight.
