Auckland Tongan church investigated over alleged residency for cash scheme

The Immigration Advisers Authority is investigating an alleged scheme at an Auckland Tongan church. Photo / 123rf

By RNZ

The Immigration Advisers Authority is investigating an alleged scheme at an Auckland Tongan church, which promises residency for cash.

Meetings have been held at the 'I Laumalie Mo Mo'oni church in Māngere, with claims they are promoting the unauthorised scheme.

Overstayers and those wanting residency are said to have been told if they join the church and pay about $500, a judge will sign off on their residency.

Immigration Advisers Authority spokesman Duncan Connor said they were encouraging anyone who feels they have, or know someone who has, been given unlicensed immigration advice to contact them or police.

Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio: "We're seeing more and more of these scams happening online and they are targeting very vulnerable communities." Photo / Supplied

Connor said anyone giving immigration advice must be licensed by the authority unless they had been given a special exemption.

The Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, is urging Pasifika families to beware of unofficial residency schemes.

Sio said people who had lost money over passports and citizenships should notify his office, or the police.

"We don't want to see people being ripped off and we're seeing more and more of these scams happening online and they are targeting very vulnerable communities ... we just need to work together to make sure that our people aren't being ripped off."

He said there community law centres and local MPs would provide the correct information to people seeking permanent residency.

- RNZ