HK arrests in Australian immigration scam

HONG KONG, China -- Hong Kong's anti-graft agency has arrested 29 people over a $2.56 million (HK $20 million) Australian immigration scam.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said in a statement it arrested an emigration consultant and two associates for conspiring to offer A$1 million (US$529,500) in bribes to a former Australian immigration official.

The Australian official then allegedly granted Australian citizenship to numerous unqualified applicants, mostly from Hong Kong or mainland China.

The ICAC also arrested 26 of those applicants.

The consultant charged each applicant a fee ranging from US$5,000 to US$100,000.

The 16 men and 13 women arrested have been released on ICAC bail while inquiries continue. The ICAC did not say if the former Australian official has been arrested.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Independent Commission Against Corruption

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