Tuvaluan ‘prince’ ordered to repay victims
An unlicensed immigration adviser has been ordered to provide refunds after collecting more than $5,000 running an unlawful immigration business.
Kauapi Lutelu, also known as Prince Pastor Kauapi Lutelu Salanoa of Mangere, pleaded guilty to six charges at Auckland District Court on 27 September 2012.
These included:
- two charges of providing immigration advice without a licence
- two charges of holding out as a licensed immigration adviser
- one representative charge of holding out as an immigration adviser
- one representative charge of asking for a fee for the provision of immigration advice.
His Honour Judge Field determined a term of imprisonment would ordinarily be the appropriate starting point for offending of this type. However, in view of personal circumstances and severe mental illness, a sentence of 14 days community detention was imposed in addition to orders giving refunds to four victims.
In January 2010 a Radio 531PI announcement said Mr Lutelu had been given a ‘quota’ from the Minister of Immigration for 250 Fiji nationals who required work permits or permanent residency.
The announcement said an application for the quota would only be considered if accompanied by a $50 cover charge.
The following month, Mr Lutelu wrote to those who registered for the ‘quota’ stating he would be charging $1,000 for a work permit and $2,000 for permanent residence.
In May 2010, a visa application filed by Mr Lutelu was returned as Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will not accept applications from unlicensed advisers.
Mr Lutelu applied for a licence six times but was declined by the Immigration Advisers Authority and repeatedly warned not to provide immigration advice.
Barry Smedts, Registrar of Immigration Advisers reminded people that they can avoid falling foul of people like Lutelu.
He said: “Before handing over any money, check the online public Register of Licensed Immigration Advisers(external link) and read our Immigration Advice Consumer Guide. If you don’t have internet access, call us and we will check the register for you and post you a copy of the Guide. This will tell you where to go for advice and how to report illegal activity.
“There is no real way of knowing how many people paid money to Mr Lutelu because people in New Zealand unlawfully may be afraid to contact us. However, I believe the majority have already come forward as they know the Immigration Advisers Authority has no power to deport them.”
Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, anyone providing immigration advice must be licensed or exempt from the requirement to be licensed.
Licensed immigration advisers are provided with a certificate and wallet card and listed on the Authority’s online register. The only people who can give immigration advice without a licence are those who are exempt under the Act, including lawyers, and those working at Community Law Centres or Citizens Advice Bureaux.
You can contact the Immigration Advisers Authority to find out more.