'Conned' overstayers urged to come forward

Immigrants who may have been victims of a scam, leaving them with overstayer status, are being urged to make themselves known to authorities.

However, the Immigration Service said there were no guarantees they could remain in the country.

The service launched an investigation after receiving four complaints about one of its former employees Patrick Ott, who is now an Auckland-based immigration agent for potential residents.

Labour Department spokeswoman Maryanne Thompson said today: "We are investigating claims Mr Ott is alleged not to have filed (immigration) papers.

"These complainants are saying they paid lots of money, they haven't received any service at all and Mr Ott has retained their passports so they are unable to do anything about their situation."

The four complainants may be just "the tip of the iceberg", Ms Thompson said.

"There may be tens of other people, maybe even more."

People unhappy with their dealings with Mr Ott could contact the Immigration Service or police.

However, because some of Mr Ott's clients had not had their passports returned and their temporary visas had since expired, they were now overstayers.

"They are not likely to want to see anybody because if they come to us they are probably afraid we are going to remove them, and if they go to police the same thing could happen," she said.

Ms Thompson said she guaranteed the service would "seriously" look into each person's situation, case by case.

She added: "I can't guarantee the outcome, but I can certainly guarantee a very good service from us."

Although Mr Ott was not breaking the law by advertising his services as a former Immigration Service employee, his work would be investigated.

"We (will) assess it and see if there are any breaches against the Immigration Act or if this person is retaining passports -- that is illegal, you cannot keep a person's passport. We will be talking to him."

Immigration Minister Paul Swain has said a new law regulating immigration agents would be introduced next month.

- NZPA