Declaring to the ABC that he did not scam anyone and that it was his business partner who scammed visa hopefuls has not stopped the arrest of Abel Prasad by the Australian Federal Police.
Police sources have told the ABC that both the NSW and Queensland Police as well as the Immigration Department that they have been investigating Abel Prasad of SVC Legal for some time.
Prasad however says he never acted as a migration agent and denies any wrong-doing. Prasad, who is the son of the late, eminent South Australian doctor and leading Fijian philanthropist Dr Umanand Prasad, now faces 23 charges relating to GST fraud.
On ABC’s 7.30 report last night, Indian student Jaspal Marok alleged that he handed Prasad his life-savings of $17,000 on the promise of a visa and job with a salary of $65,000 at one of Prasad’s companies, Snappy Digital only to subsequently be handed a forged visa from Prasad's business.
Chinese student Ashley Chen, alleged that he paid Prasad $41,000 for a job and the promise of a visa within ’24 hours’. When no visa arrived, Mr Chen alleged that his enquiries on the matter were met by threats from Prasad.
Migration Alliance Convenor, Liana Allan who has been warning of Abel Prasad’s dealings for several months on this blogsite and has been assisting police investigations on the matter appeared on ABC’s 7.30 report and alleged that there are many more victims:
“According to the head of the Migrants Alliance [Liana Allan], the peak body for migration agents, Mr Prasad has allegedly scammed at least 20 people.” ABC’s 7.30 report.
Ms Allan told the ABC that, "Abel Prasad is, quite frankly, a con man…He lies to people and pretends that he can get them a new life in a new country, in Australia."
For the full report, follow this link: http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-11/abel-prasad-arrested-over-alleged-migrant-visa-scam/6932040