Probe into passport complaints

The Department of Labour's immigration fraud unit will investigate allegations a former Immigration Service employee kept passports and charged clients for work that was not done.

The department yesterday received four formal complaints about immigration consultant Patrick Ott.

The four complainants said Mr Ott retained their passports and took their money but did not lodge any applications with the department on their behalf.

The amounts of money involved range from $1280 to $7000.

The Herald was unable to contact Mr Ott yesterday.

The department's deputy secretary workforce, Mary Anne Thompson, said she had heard there could be many more people with allegations against Mr Ott and she urged them to come forward and make a complaint.

Ms Thompson said those who had already made formal complaints were being interviewed and their allegations assessed to determine whether they fell within the department's jurisdiction or that of the police, who had wider powers to prosecute.

The four complainants, all of whom were in New Zealand unlawfully, had been advised to make an application to the nearest branch of the department if they wished to remain in New Zealand.

Ms Thompson said their applications would be considered on a case-by-case basis.