Key Takeaways
- Immigration New Zealand may cancel a prohibition period and issue a temporary visa to allow the alleged kidnapping victim to remain as a Crown witness.
- Immigration lawyer Matt Robson warns that deporting his client would jeopardise the prosecution and increase the risk of witness intimidation.
- The case highlights serious failures in information sharing between Inland Revenue, Police and Immigration NZ, a problem experts say hampers New Zealand’s fight against organised crime.
- The victim, Singh, entered NZ on a student visa in 2015 but was later found to have submitted false educational documents, rendering him ineligible for a post‑study work visa.
- Despite cooperating with authorities and exposing a multi‑million‑dollar tax‑evasion scheme, Singh now faces possible deportation and fears for his safety.
Immigration NZ’s Possible Visa Intervention
Immigration New Zealand retains the authority to cancel or lift any prohibition period and to grant a temporary visa that would allow the alleged kidnapping victim to remain in the country as a witness in a prosecution. This provision is designed to protect individuals who come forward with evidence of serious wrongdoing, ensuring they are not removed while their testimony is still needed. The mechanism acknowledges the Crown’s reliance on witnesses and seeks to balance immigration enforcement with the integrity of judicial proceedings.
Lawyer Matt Robson’s Disappointment
Matt Robson, a specialist immigration lawyer who recently took on the victim’s case, expressed deep disappointment with the prospect of deportation. He argued that removing his client would jeopardise the ongoing prosecution and increase the likelihood of witness intimidation or harm. Robson stressed that, in his experience, whistleblowers are not deported, especially when they have assisted law‑enforcement agencies in uncovering criminal activity.
Robson’s Background and Planned Action
Robson, a former MP and minister in the Labour‑Alliance Government (1999‑2002), intends to write to the ministers overseeing Police, Inland Revenue and Immigration NZ to request a coordinated response. He believes a joint approach is essential to safeguard the victim and prevent further obstruction of justice. By seeking ministerial intervention, Robson hopes to halt any removal order until the criminal case reaches its conclusion.
Associate Immigration Minister’s Role
Any fresh visa application for the victim will be decided by National MP Cameron Brewer, who recently succeeded Penk as Associate Immigration Minister. Brewer’s decision will weigh the immigration law requirements against the public interest in preserving a key witness. His position places him at the crux of balancing enforcement priorities with the need to protect individuals who assist the Crown in prosecuting serious offences.
Herald Investigation: The Money‑Mule Scheme
A Herald investigation revealed that more than $3 million flowed through the bank accounts of an illegal migrant who was paid in cash as an under‑the‑table orchard labourer. Funds were deposited in increments of up to $10 000 almost daily over six months, then withdrawn as cash by the “money mule” on behalf of a group he called The Syndicate. When the migrant threatened to expose the tax‑evasion scam, the money mule allegedly kidnapped him in November 2023, assaulted him, and warned him to stay silent or face death.
Interaction with Inland Revenue and Reporting Failure
Encouraged by a supporter, the 33‑year‑old victim approached Inland Revenue and was interviewed by Tauranga‑based investigators the following month. He disclosed the kidnapping and was assured that his complaint would be referred to the Police, as Inland Revenue has a duty to report serious harm. However, Inland Revenue failed to forward the allegation, meaning Tauranga Police did not learn of the alleged kidnapping until 18 months later, when the Herald began inquiring about the case. This delay hampered the police investigation and left the victim feeling betrayed.
Police Investigation and Charges
In February, a 36‑year‑old man was charged with wounding and kidnapping offences. He received interim name suppression and was released on bail after surrendering his passport. Court documents listed two other men as co‑defendants; one has since died, and the other no longer resides in New Zealand. The charges underscore the seriousness of the alleged abuse, yet the prolonged gap between the incident and police awareness weakened the evidentiary timeline and complicated prosecutorial efforts.
Systemic Information‑Sharing Weaknesses
The case exemplifies a broader deficiency: poor information sharing between government agencies. Experts advising the Government last year identified this lack of coordination as the greatest barrier to New Zealand’s ability to combat organised crime. Steve Symon, chairman of the ministerial advisory group on organised crime, described the breakdown as a “textbook example” and a near‑cliché of inter‑agency failure, urging a combined team effort among Inland Revenue, Police and Immigration NZ to ensure complainants feel safe when they come forward.
Singh’s Immigration History and False Documentation
Singh entered New Zealand on a student visa in 2015. A routine check by Immigration NZ on his academic documents revealed that his claimed Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Lucknow was false. Singh told the Herald he had completed the degree, but from a less prestigious Indian university, and asserted that the false information was supplied by an immigration adviser in India who charged him about $30,000 for the service. Despite acknowledging his difficult situation, INZ stressed that providing false or misleading information is a criminal offence under the Immigration Act 2009.
INZ’s Stance on Fraudulent Applications
Janine Parsons, Operations Director for Northern Pacific, clarified that all visa applicants must sign a declaration confirming the truthfulness of their submitted information and acknowledge the consequences of fraud. Applicants are also required to disclose any agents acting on their behalf so INZ can verify the agent’s licensing status. Because Singh failed to meet these obligations, he could not satisfy the character requirements for a post‑study work visa, leading to the decline of his application in June 2017. Consequently, he has lived in New Zealand unlawfully since that date.
Employment, Debt Pressure and Involvement in the Tax Scam
After his visa was refused, Singh faced pressure to repay the $30,000 debt owed to the Indian immigration adviser. He began working for a subcontractor supplying labourers to kiwifruit orchards in the Bay of Plenty, earning $18 per hour in cash. Seeking additional income, he was introduced to a contact in the kiwifruit industry who offered a way to make extra money by allowing large sums to be deposited into his bank accounts. This arrangement facilitated the alleged tax‑evasion scheme that moved more than $3 million through his accounts, a role he described as that of a “money mule.”
Fear of Deportation Despite Cooperation
Singh told the Herald that he believed he would be safe in New Zealand if he spoke to the authorities—Police and Inland Revenue—about the wrongdoing he witnessed. Instead, he now lives in fear of being deported, a prospect that feels like a punishment for coming forward. His anxiety is compounded by the knowledge that his testimony is vital to the Crown’s case against the alleged kidnappers, yet his immigration status remains precarious.
Journalist Jared Savage’s Contribution
The story was reported by Jared Savage, a Herald journalist specialising in crime and justice, with a particular focus on organised crime. Savage joined the Herald in 2006, has earned a dozen journalism awards in that field—including two Reporter of the Year honours—and authored books such as Gangland, Gangster’s Paradise and Underworld. His investigative work helped bring the inter‑agency failures and the victim’s plight to public attention.