Craig Thomson, a former Labor lawmaker at Dobel, was arrested after police claimed he was the leading organizer of millions of dollars in immigration fraud.
A former MP was arrested at his home in Terrigal, on the central coast of New South Wales, after a lengthy investigation by Australian federal police in July searching for Thomson’s residence in Wamberal.
Police claim that Thomson has promoted more than 130 fraudulent visa applications in four years. This includes providing false material and misleading information, and increasing profits by more than A $ 2 million.
so statementThe Australian Federal Police (AFP) have confirmed that they have arrested a man for being “alleged to be the main proponent of millions of dollars in immigration fraud.”
The joint agency’s investigation into Thomson, led by the AFP and consisting of the Australian Border Force (ABF), AUSTRAC, the Australian Tax Office and the Interior Ministry, was triggered by ABF’s investigation into serious visa and immigration fraud allegations. Until August 2019.
If convicted, Thomson faces up to 10 years in prison.
Thomson was a member of the Commonwealth Labor Party from 2007 to 2012, after being expelled from the Labor Party in 2013 and accused of stealing from his former employer, the Health Services Union, in his previous role as HSU’s national secretary. ,Independent. He is said to have abused the union’s money for prostitutes and fine dining.
He was later convicted of accusation in 2014 by a Victorian court and sentenced to three months’imprisonment and another nine months’ imprisonment. However, he appealed the sentence, avoided imprisonment, and was fined $ 25,000.
Craig Belis, AFP investigative commander at Eastern Command, said the charges charged in this case were related to a serious breach of public trust.
“The alleged crime in this case involves the exploitation of a federal government program designed to support Australian businesses, investigating and prosecuting cases of large-scale fraud against Australian taxpayers. Is an AFP obligation, “he said.
Erindale, ABF’s Assistant Commissioner for East and Port Operations, said ABF has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to those seeking to benefit from the exploitation of vulnerable foreign workers.
“This study demonstrates ABF and AFP’s unwavering determination to prevent the exploitation of foreign workers in Australia. The” Cash for Visas “system is, as is well known, Australia. It is intended for vulnerable visa holders who may not be aware of the laws and work qualifications of the company, “she said.
“Together, ABF and AFP will continue to pursue visa and immigration fraud promoters while protecting foreign workers who play an important role in the Australian community.”
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