A 57-year-old man from the New South Wales Central Coast has been arrested over his alleged role in a migration fraud worth more than $2 million.
The man was arrested at his home in Terrigal this morning accused of facilitating more than 130 fraudulent visa applications.
The applications were focused on the food service and agriculture industries.
LIVE UPDATES: Newborn baby among new NT COVID-19 cases
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said more than $2 million was gained from this activity.
The 57-year-old man was charged with providing false documents and false or misleading information relating to non-citizens.
If found guilty he could face as much as 10 years in jail.
He is due to face Gosford Local Court today.
AFP Assistant Commander Craig Bellis said the charges involved a serious breach of public trust.
READ MORE: Cases grow in NSW town as Queensland watches fresh outbreak
Search warrants were executed on properties in nearby Wamberal, Terrigal and Copacabana, as well as in East Maitland, the Sydney suburbs of Rockdale and Revesby, and the Queensland town of Bundaberg West.
"The alleged offences in this matter involved the exploitation of Federal Government programs designed to assist Australian businesses, and it is incumbent on the AFP to investigate and prosecute instances of large-scale fraud against Australian taxpayers," he said in a statement.
The investigation involved units from the AFP, Border Force, AUSTRAC, the Australian Taxation Office and the Department of Home Affairs.
