Couple Sentenced Over Immigration & Identity Fraud

A man and woman have been sentenced for a prolonged scheme to obtain visas and residence in New Zealand using false identities and forged documents. The 50-year-old man received three years’ imprisonment, while the 44-year-old woman was sentenced to 11 months of home detention. Both defendants have interim name suppression.

The couple appeared at Auckland District Court after pleading guilty to 16 charges of immigration and identity fraud. Authorities said the offences spanned multiple years and involved sophisticated deception.

MBIE National Manager Investigations Jason Perry said the offences were uncovered during an INZ investigation.

“We take identity fraud extremely seriously. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of the systems we have in place to detect and investigate such offending. We will continue to pursue those who attempt to undermine the integrity of our immigration system and hold them to account,” Perry said.

According to court records, the pair arrived in New Zealand in 2011 using the identities of Hungarian nationals known to them. Over the following five years, they submitted fraudulent visa applications—including visitor, work, residence, and citizenship applications—using forged documents and false declarations.

The man had previous convictions in Hungary for forgery and corruption, which both defendants deliberately concealed from Immigration New Zealand (INZ). They used forged birth certificates, qualification documents, and an adoption order to support their applications, including those for the man’s biological son.

Perry added, “This was not a one-off lapse in judgement. It was a sustained and calculated deception over many years. The defendants exploited the goodwill of New Zealand’s immigration system and undermined its integrity. The scale and sophistication of the offending is deeply concerning. It involved multiple layers of deceit, including the use of real identities, forged documents, and false declarations across a range of visa categories.”

Investigators from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) also played a key role in detecting and disrupting attempts to obtain citizenship and other entitlements through fraudulent means.

Mireille Johnson, Manager Investigations at DIA, said, “This case highlights the sophisticated methods some individuals use to manipulate identity systems, and the importance of robust security measures and strong inter-agency collaboration. We remain committed to protecting the integrity of New Zealand’s identity and citizenship systems and ensuring that those who attempt to exploit them are held to account.”