A man and woman who allegedly profited from an elaborate marriage visa scam are facing jail and hefty fines after both were committed to stand trial in Brisbane for offences against the Migration Act.
Indian-born former migration agent Chetan Mohanlal Mashru and marriage celebrant Divya Krishne Gowda, both 35, are accused of attempting to arrange 16 marriages in 2010 and 2011 as part of an organised scheme to enable Indian men - and one woman - to obtain Australian spousal visas.
Neither entered a plea on Thursday when they were committed to stand trial by Magistrate John McGrath after a four-day hearing.
The offence carries a 10-year jail term and fines of up to $100,000.
Mashru is also charged with 34 further offences based on allegations he helped fill out the men's visa applications.
The Brisbane Magistrates Court heard from more than a dozen women who said they were offered between $1000 and $30,000 to enter fake marriages.
The women, in their 20s and 30s, said they signed the paperwork at an Oxley unit in Brisbane's southwest after hearing of the opportunity through word-of-mouth.
The unit, many said, was where they met their husbands for the first time.
"When I signed the certificate I had $5000 given to me on that day," said witness Alina Busa, who estimated she received $20,000 in total.
"I also got money every week from my partner."
Several Indian men testified to hiring Mashru to help them secure a partner visa.
They included Pradeep Singh, who said he gave Mashru $5000 to organise his marriage with Australian Josie Haig after an application to extend his student visa was rejected.
None of the brides or grooms is being prosecuted, with some offered indemnity to provide a statement.
Mashru and Gowda will stand trial in the Brisbane District Court at a date to be fixed.
Share
