🛂

Fake immigration agent

Unregistered 'agents' charging huge fees for fake visa help.

Migrant

How it works

They contact you on WeChat, WhatsApp or Facebook claiming guaranteed visa approval. They demand upfront cash, then ghost you or submit a bad application that risks your visa.

Common scenarios to watch for

This scam shows up in several different shapes. Recognise the pattern, not just one message.

Reporting locationHotlines on the printed checklist will match this location.

WeChat 'guaranteed PR' agent

A contact in a community group offers guaranteed permanent residency for a flat fee. They ask for half upfront in crypto, then claim 'processing delays' and ask for more.

"100% PR success, 6 months. Half now ($4,500 USDT), half on grant. We have insider at department."

Red flags to spot

Is the agent promising a guaranteed visa outcome?
Are they asking for payment in crypto or to a personal account?
Will they not provide a MARA registration number?
Are they pressuring you to pay before receiving a written contract?

Fake job-sponsorship offer

An 'agent' offers a 482 sponsorship job at a real-sounding restaurant or aged-care provider. You pay a 'sponsorship contribution' of $20k+, then no nomination ever appears.

"Sponsor available, hospitality, $25,000 contribution. Pay 50% to secure, contract on payment."

Red flags to spot

Is the job requiring a large upfront 'sponsorship' payment?
Did you find the offer through an informal channel (WhatsApp, WeChat group)?
Can you verify the employer exists and is registered to sponsor?
Is the payment requested to a personal account rather than the business?

Document-tampering trap

The agent inflates your work history or fakes English results to push the application through. When the department checks, your visa is refused and you're banned from re-applying for years.

"Don't worry about IELTS — we use partner test centre, score guaranteed 7. Just send passport copy."

Red flags to spot

Are they suggesting you fake documents or test scores?
Do they have a 'partner' test centre that bypasses normal procedures?
Are they asking for your passport or identity documents upfront?
Did they refuse to put promises in writing on official letterhead?

Red flags

🚩Guaranteed visa outcome
🚩Asks for payment in crypto or to a personal account
🚩Won't share their MARA registration number

What to do

1Check the agent on mara.gov.au — only registered agents are legal.
2Get every promise in writing on official letterhead.
3Report unregistered agents to the OMARA.

Who's targeted

International students and recent migrants navigating complex visa rules.
Communities recruited via WeChat, WhatsApp and Facebook groups in their own language.