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An Auckland immigration consultant is facing almost 50 fraud charges in connection with allegations she helped smuggle Chinese migrants into Australia.
Jing Xu, 32, a permanent resident of the People's Republic of China, and her 37-year-old husband Bing-Cheung Lum have been charged with forgery and dishonesty offences.
Police allege Xu arranged for at least 12 people to enter Australia from New Zealand using a range of fraudulent documents, including forged New Zealand visa labels.
Seven of them were able to enter Australia, and authorities on both sides of the Tasman are investigating.
Xu is charged with 46 offences between February 8 and December 8 last year. Lum, described as a mechanic, faces three charges.
Xu, bailed to an address behind her sister-in-law's house in Mt Roskill, was not home when the Herald on Sunday visited.
Her sister-in-law said Xu had worked at an immigration consultancy in Queen St.
Some staff there claimed they had never heard of her and others said they could not speak English.
The Immigration Service, part of the Department of Labour, said new rules meant immigration consultants in New Zealand must be licensed by May 4. Overseas advisers have until May 4 next year.
A spokesman said Jing Xu was not registered as a licensed immigration advisor and did not have an application pending. He said the authority has not received any complaints about her.
Xu and Lum are due to reappear at Auckland District Court this week. Neither have entered pleas.
Xu's defence lawyer Chris Comeskey did not return Herald on Sunday calls.
