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Australian High Commission warns of visa scam

The mission said it was concerned about the growing number of victims and advised any potential visa applicants to exercise caution when visa agencies offer jobs.

Australian High Commission warns of visa scam

Indian Passport (Photo: Getty Images)

The Australian High Commission in New Delhi on Monday warned the public of a new visa scam allegedly perpetrated by an employment agency operating in South-West Delhi.

In recent weeks, more than 50 people have approached the High Commission after paying lakhs for a work visa, only to be informed that they have become a victim of yet another visa scam.

The mission said it was concerned about the growing number of victims and advised any potential visa applicants to exercise caution when visa agencies offer jobs.

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“Australia does not have a work visa programme of the sort being promoted by the scammers—our Temporary Skills Shortage work visa is run only with approved sponsors, and only for applicants with specific skills in demand in Australia,” explained a spokesperson from the Australian High Commission.

“Some of the recent victims have said they paid up to 50,000 INR just for a non-existent airfare and a medical check with an unauthorised clinic, in addition to all the other fees they have been charged,” the spokesperson added.

In addition to being charged for job placement—sometimes with bogus job offers using the names of genuine, well-known companies in Australia—and “visa lodgement” fees, the victims have also had to pay to undergo a medical examination in a medical facility also located in South Delhi, that is not associated with Australia’s approved panel physicians.

The South West Delhi agency has also provided victims with a fake visa grant notice, which links to a non-genuine visa checking service on a fake website.

“We have seen clones of our website before but the newest versions link to a fake visa checking site that only contains the visa details concocted by the agent. This may look convincing to someone who is wanting proof the agent is not duping them – but actually, it is still all fake,” the spokesperson said.

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