An Auckland-based immigration adviser has had her licence cancelled after being caught on taped phone calls offering migrants fake jobs to secure residency in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars.
As per RNZ, the Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal found Heidi Castelucci, also known as Qian Yu, engaged in a serious and deliberate scheme to allegedly sell non-existent employment through her husband’s company, undermining the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system.
As per report, in one case, the tribunal heard Castelucci coached a migrant on how to pay $70,000 for a fabricated role that would support a residence visa application, while advising him on how to conceal the arrangement from authorities.
It is further reported that the supposed job did not exist, and the worker was expected to fund his own salary and taxes while seeking cash-in-hand work elsewhere.
The tribunal said that the involvement of a licensed adviser in such a scheme was particularly concerning.
The migrant had initially lost a legitimate role linked to the adviser before being persuaded to resign and take up a higher-paying managerial position that was also fictitious.
It is reported by RNZ that he paid one instalment of $7,500 before raising concerns and ultimately leaving New Zealand with his children.
In total, the man paid more than $25,000, far exceeding typical immigration advice fees, which the tribunal said would normally range between $2,000 and $4,000.
Recordings submitted as evidence captured Castelucci outlining the scheme, including staged payments over two years and the absence of any written agreement.
In one conversation, as per RNZ, she told the migrant the arrangement would be based on a “gentleman’s verbal agreement” and advised him on structuring payments to avoid scrutiny.
The tribunal upheld six complaints against Castelucci, identifying what it called a “concerning pattern of behaviour”. Other findings included failing to submit visa applications, misleading clients, and fabricating documents.
Although Castelucci later expressed remorse and cited personal and medical issues, the tribunal found these factors arose after the misconduct and did not mitigate the seriousness of her actions. It concluded her dishonesty alone warranted cancellation of her licence.
She was fined $4,000 and barred from practising for up to two years, with any future relicensing subject to approval by the registrar.
Employment advocate May Moncur, who has represented affected migrants, said the case highlighted ongoing exploitation in the immigration system. She argued stronger penalties, including lifetime bans, should be considered for advisers involved in deliberate fraud.
Moncur said schemes involving the sale of job “tokens” linked to accredited employers continued to operate, with some migrants paying tens of thousands of dollars for roles that never materialise. She warned such practices not only harm workers and their families but also distort the labour market and result in lost tax revenue.
Authorities have reiterated that charging migrants for job offers is illegal, and workers who participate in such arrangements risk breaching visa conditions and facing deportation.
The Registrar of Companies has also begun action to remove the adviser’s firm, Liberty Consulting, from the register. A separate company linked to her husband has since been established at the same address.
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