A major multi-agency operation is underway as the Australian Border Force and Department of Home Affairs intensify efforts to stop scam migration agents who have defrauded vulnerable visa applicants of more than $1.4 million.

According to Home Affairs, rogue operators have been charging exorbitant fees and misleading clients—particularly those applying for Protection (subclass 866) visas—by encouraging false claims to secure bridging visas with work rights.

Field Operations teams have already removed four major scam agents illegally operating in Victoria and Queensland and detained three more pending removal. Together, these seven individuals are believed to have facilitated over 470 fraudulent Protection visa applications, collecting more than $1.42 million while knowing their clients were not legitimate asylum seekers.

Authorities are also investigating potential links to organised crime syndicates, signalling that the crackdown could widen.

Commander John Taylor, of Field Operations and Sponsoring Monitoring, issued a blunt warning:

“If you engage in this sort of unlawful activity, chances are you have been reported and we are coming for you. Don’t do it. We simply will not tolerate scammers taking advantage of the hopes and fears of vulnerable people.”

Applicants who knowingly lodge false claims are not immune from prosecution. Lavinia Mitchell, Assistant Secretary of the Citizenship and Humanitarian Policy Branch, cautioned that providing false or misleading information is illegal and punishable by heavy fines and up to 10 years’ jail.

“Scam agents may tell you to provide false documents, but this activity is illegal and could result in serious penalties,” she said.

Officials stressed that fraudulent applications also slow down processing for genuine asylum seekers. Recent reforms are aimed at speeding up decisions—granting protection quickly to those in need and swiftly refusing those who are not eligible.

Emily Winch, Senior Director at the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA), reminded applicants that it is unlawful for anyone to charge for migration advice unless registered as a migration agent or is an Australian legal practitioner.

Applicants can verify an agent’s credentials on OMARA’s Self-Service Portal.

Authorities urge anyone with information about immigration offences or suspicious activity to make an anonymous report via the Home Affairs Border Watch website.

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