Bangladeshi couple found guilty of 20-year immigration fraud in New Zealand

Bangladeshi couple in New Zealand has been convicted of 40 counts of immigration and identity fraud spanning two decades.

Taj Parvin Shilpi and Jahangir Alam were found guilty on Friday, following a six-year investigation by Immigration New Zealand, as reported by The New Zealand Herald.

The verdict came after a 13-day jury trial at the Auckland District Court. The couple will be sentenced on May 22.

The court revealed that Alam entered New Zealand using his brother’s identity to secure a visitor visa.

He subsequently obtained a work permit, a resident visa, two New Zealand passports, and citizenship under this alias.

Alam also used this false identity to support 14 visa and immigration permit applications for his mother and his wife, Shilpi.

Immigration New Zealand’s general manager of compliance and investigations, Steve Watson, emphasized that such actions undermine the integrity of the immigration system.

“This kind of offending strikes at the heart of the immigration system. We expect applicants to provide honest and complete information to meet the requirements for a visa or entry into New Zealand,” Watson told New Zealand Herald.

He praised his team for their dedication in unraveling this complex case over six years.

Despite the verdict, key details about Alam, such as his real name, birthdate, and reasons for concealing his identity, remain unknown.