By Belinda Nolan
AUSTRALIAN Federal Police officers raided a Sunshine home last week as part of an investigation into the alleged rort of a skilled migration program.
Star can reveal that a search warrant was executed at a home in Benjamin St on Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation into the “widespread fraud” of the country’s General Skilled Migration Program.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship last week confirmed it had joined forces with the AFP to mount the “important and complex” operation, with search warrants executed on several locations across Melbourne.
Star believes the investigation involves cracking down on migrants with fraudulent qualifications and work experience. Registered migration agents can also be prosecuted for providing false information.
A DIAC spokesman told Star it would be inappropriate to comment as the operation is still in its early stages. The GSM program is designed to attract young, highly-skilled migrants, with a good grasp of the English language who are trained in skilled fields. An AFP spokeswoman told Star it could not comment as the investigation remains ongoing.
