Two visa agents in Thailand have been charged for allegedly trying to help people illegally work in New Zealand.
It comes after Immigration New Zealand found they were providing fake documents for visitor visa applicants.
AEC Thai Development Co., Ltd, run by Jirasin Bunyasing, had been issuing false bank statements and employment letters for visitor visa applicants, mainly those looking to be rural workers.
More than 100 cases where visitors were intending to come to New Zealand and potentially work illegally in the horticulture and viticulture sectors were identified.
The agent was charging THB 25,000 (NZ$1140) for the fraudulent evidence, with no refund if they were declined.
However, following a search warrant by the Royal Thai Police, Bunyasing made a full confession on video including demonstrating how they fraudulently altered documents.
Thai police also found evidence of a "large number" of fraudulent applications to Australia, the UK and South Korea.
Charges have been laid against Bunyasing and one of his employees. The initial charge was for fraudulent use of a computer.
Immigration New Zealand national manager for risk and verification Geoff Scott said it was a great example of international cooperation in the fight against 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," he said.
"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.
"We can find out who they are and, working with law enforcement in New Zealand and internationally, ensure they face appropriate consequences."
Update from Immigration New Zealand
A previous version of this story referenced a translation company. In an update from Immigration NZ, acting national manager risk and verification Aaron Smith told Newshub:
"While Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has evidence that suggests that the translation company you refer to was involved in a case where charges were laid against two visa agents in Thailand for providing fraudulent documents for visitor visa applicants, INZ understands the Royal Thai Police have not laid any formal charges against the translation company.
"We were approached by [the company] regarding this and subsequently removed the line you refer to from the media release on our website."
