Israeli “art dealers” deported
All seven Israelis ordered to be deported by New Zeealand authorities following a complaint about an art scam have left the country.
The Israelis had been selling cheap art works from China for hundreds of dollars in door to door campaign. When questioned by police, all seven were found to ben in default of their visas.
A spokesman for Immigration New Zealand told J-Wire: “One, who was subject to a deportation notice, was deported yesterday and is now subject to a two-year ban from returning to New Zealand.
Five, who were subject to deportation liability notices and had a 28-day right of appeal against deportation, have left voluntarily at their own cost. The deportation notice will be taken into account in consideration of any visa they may apply for in future.
The seventh had, at the time of being spoken to, been already been planning to leave New Zealand and departed without deportation action being taken against him.
Peter Elms, Acting Manager of INZ’s Intelligence, Risk and Integrity Division, says it is a very positive outcome.
“Six of these people were working in breach of their visa conditions – and the one deported was an overstayer with no appeal rights,” he said. “It serves as a warning to people coming to New Zealand and not abiding by their visa conditions – such as staying beyond the duration of their visa or working when their visa clearly states that they are not entitled to work. We will take action against them. Any such action will affect not only their ability to re-enter New Zealand but may well count against them entering other countries.”
Mr Elms praised the woman who complained about the dodgy artwork sales. “We are always grateful to receive information from the public.”
