Every year, thousands of hopeful migrants fall victim to visa scams in Australia and New Zealand. From fake agents and false promises to stolen documents and vanished funds, these scams often target vulnerable individuals with urgent timelines or limited knowledge of the process.
A real story: how one scam changed a man’s life
A Chinese migrant travelled to New Zealand expecting to start a confirmed job, but soon learned the offer was fake and did not exist. After paying an offshore agent $18,000 for an Accredited Employer Work Visa, he landed in Auckland and was taken to overcrowded, poor‑quality accommodation, having to pay rent and work cash jobs just to survive.
For months, he was not able to reach his supposed employer and the agent refused to provide any details. When he finally requested his records from Immigration New Zealand, he learned the employer had never met him and his signature on the employment agreement had been forged.
He was later granted a Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa. An investigation confirmed he had been scammed, but the company named on his visa had not authorised the job offer, and the case was dismissed. Back in China, he reported the agent to the police and recovered only a small portion of the $18,000 he had paid.
A reminder of how vulnerable migrants can be, and how critical it is to verify job offers and work only with licensed immigration professionals.
Visa scams are rising and are becoming more sophisticated
Every year, thousands of hopeful migrants fall victim to scams that exploit their dreams, urgency, or lack of familiarity with the system. These scams take many forms, including:
- Fake agents and unlicensed advisers
People posing as migration experts often promise guaranteed approvals or special connections.
Example: Niran found an adviser on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook who encouraged him to use false documents. His visa was cancelled, and he lost his chance to study in Australia.
- Impersonation scams
Scammers pretend to be from the Department of Home Affairs, Immigration New Zealand, embassies, or even the police.
Example: Min, an international student, was threatened with arrest by scammers posing as the Chinese Embassy. Terrified, she handed over money and personal information.
- Fake websites and social media accounts
Fraudulent pages mimic legitimate organisations to appear trustworthy.
Example: Mei paid $600 to a website that looked Australian and professional. The company vanished, and the contact details were fake.
- Romance and relationship scams
Scammers build emotional connections to extract money or lure victims into dangerous situations.
Example: Mr Jones sent thousands of dollars to someone he met online, only to learn the entire story was fabricated and potentially dangerous.
- False promises of jobs or fast‑tracked visas
Scammers offer high‑paying jobs, “priority processing”, or special visa pathways that do not exist.
Example: Dana received fake visa grant letters and employment documents after paying nearly $2,500.
- Upfront payments with no paperwork
Legitimate migration professionals always provide written agreements, proposals, strategies, and receipts.
Example: Jill paid $28,500 to someone claiming to be a registered agent. They disappeared with her money.
What to watch out for:
- Unlicensed agents claiming to “guarantee” visa approval
- Requests for upfront payment without a formal agreement
- No written strategy or timeline for your application
- Poor communication or refusal to provide credentials
- Fake websites or social media pages mimicking legitimate firms
- Pressure tactics, threats, or emotional manipulation
- Offers that seem “too good to be true”
How Absolute Immigration Group protects you
We are a licensed, transparent, and deeply experienced migration firm. Our visa process is designed to give you clarity, confidence, and control, from eligibility assessment to an outcome. You will know exactly what is happening, who is responsible, and what to expect at every stage.
Unfortunately, we often meet people who come to us after they have been misled or exploited by unlicensed agents. Some of the real cases we have seen include:
- An agent who met clients at a KFC and charged $50,000 for an employer‑nominated visa linked to a company that did not exist.
- Social media influencers encouraging people to apply for protection visas with no merit, putting them at risk of refusal and long‑term immigration consequences.
- Agents advising applicants to enter contrived relationships with Australian citizens to secure a visa.
- Agents arranging deals where a couple is sponsored by an employer, but only one partner is paid, despite both being required to work.
These situations leave migrants financially devastated, legally vulnerable, and unsure where to turn next. They also highlight why it is essential to work only with licensed, accountable professionals who follow the law and act in your best interests.
Why trust Absolute Immigration Group
- 25+ years’ combined immigration advisory experience
- 4,000+ visa cases managed annually
- 98%+ approval rate across employer-sponsored programs
- 675+ business clients supported
- 40,000+ visa applicants assisted in the past 10 years
- 4.9 average Google rating across our businesses, based on 1,000+ reviews
- Clear strategy before payment
- Ongoing support and communication
- Collaboration with trusted legal and financial partners
- No overpromising, just honest and expert advice
If in doubt, always check the credentials.
In New Zealand, immigration advisers can be verified via the Immigration Advisers Authority. In Australia, registered migration agents are regulated by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA), and immigration lawyers can be identified by their Legal Practitioner Number (LPN), which confirms their admission to practise law.
If you need help with your immigration needs, contact our team of immigration specialists at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com.
Always check the credentials of your immigration adviser. In New Zealand, immigration advisers can be verified via the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA). In Australia, registered migration agents are regulated by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). Australian lawyers can be identified by their Legal Practitioner Number (LPN). which confirms their admission to practise law.
For transparency, you can review the credentials of our team members on:
If you require professional immigration advice, contact our team at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com.
