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Auckland couple sentenced for immigration fraud
While they were originally sentenced to three years in prison, the court reduced the sentence by 45 percent.
Representative Image / Unsplash
An Indian-origin Auckland couple has been sentenced to 21 months of home detention and ordered to pay over $91,000 to three Indian migrant workers who were employed and exploited by them, according to an official release.
According to Immigration National Manager of Investigations Stephanie Greathead, the defendants, Vikram and Susheel Madaan, both 53, knowingly harmed the legitimacy of the immigration system by submitting fraudulent visa applications containing false and misleading information.
They were also found to have underpaid their temporary workers for months at a time. “We estimate the victims, in this case, were collectively underpaid by the Madaans and their companies by a substantial amount during the terms of their employment,” she said.
Their three associated Auckland-based companies were charged with immigration and migrant exploitation. They pleaded guilty to 11 charges and were ordered to pay full restitution to the victims.
During the hearing at the Manukau District Court, Judge June Jelas sentenced both offenders to three years of imprisonment. In exchange for their guilty pleas, good character, continued support of family and the community, restitution paid, and other relevant factors considered by the court, the sentence was reduced by 45 percent.
Judge Jelas additionally imposed fines of $4,000 on their companies for three charges each. The judge convicted and discharged the three companies—Elegant Overseas Ltd, Indian Fashion & Kraft Ltd, and Blessing Overseas Ltd—on all other charges. These businesses import goods from India to sell in the family's retail outlets and online.
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