29 July 2011

Gerard Otimi Sentenced

Immigration New Zealand says that the sentencing of an Aucklander over an immigration scam sends a strong message to prospective scammers.

Gerard Otimi was sentenced at the Manukau District Court today to 18 months in jail after being convicted of 38 charges of altering a document with intent to cause loss. He was also ordered to pay $12,500 in reparation to his victims.

Under the scam overstayers paid Otimi $500 for a stamp and a certificate that he said allowed them to be part of his hapu and to stay in New Zealand.

The acting head of Immigration New Zealand, Stephen Dunstan, says Otimi’s sentence should act as an eye opener for many migrants and a signal for those who threaten the integrity of our immigration system.

“People should always be wary of being scammed by others for money and report any incidents to the police,” Mr Dunstan says.

“We encourage people to come forward and speak to us at the earliest possible opportunity if they run into difficulties with their immigration status as there may be pathways for them to explore for regularising their status in New Zealand”, adds Mr Dunstan.

He says working together with the Police and the Immigration Advisers Authority on such cases sends a clear message that there is zero-tolerance for immigration fraud.

ENDS

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