A MIGRATION agent who took more than $20,000 from a woman but failed to lodge her visa application has been fined $5000 and ordered to pay compensation.
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In Nowra Local Court, Laurence Henry Glenagfen Jones, 72, of Campbell Crescent, Moss Vale pleaded guilty to fraud.
His victim, a woman from England who wanted to live in the Shoalhaven with her daughter, has been waiting three years to get her money back.
She first met with Jones in July 2007 at East Nowra Neighbourhood Centre to see about a permanent visa.
The registered migration agent advised her to apply for a contributory parent visa as there was no waiting list.
The woman duly applied and sent Jones’ business, Henry James Consultants Pty Ltd, a cheque for $3561.
For the next five months the two exchanged emails, the victim growing anxious as her visa was due to expire in January ’08.
In December ’07 Jones told the woman that her application had been sent to the Department of Immigration and that processing should begin around Christmas or New Year.
On January 7 the woman received a letter from Jones saying a second instalment of $18,995 was due.
On February 2 she sent a cheque which Jones deposited into his personal account.
On February 18 the two exchanged emails about bridging visa conditions and on May 10 the woman flew to New Zealand on Jones’ advice.
She returned to Australia the following day where she was stopped by immigration officers.
They said there was no application from her being processed by the Department of Immigration.
