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Malaysian nationals who flew to Australia to work illegally on WA farms blocked by Australian Border Force officers at Perth Airport

The West Australian
A group of five Malaysian nationals attempted to come to WA to work illegally on farms.
Camera IconA group of five Malaysian nationals attempted to come to WA to work illegally on farms. Credit: Australian Border Force

A group of Malaysian nationals who flew to Australia to work illegally on WA farms have been blocked by Australian Border Force officers at Perth International Airport.

A spokesman for Australian Border Force said the group of five tried to enter Australia on February 27.

A sixth person, a 34-year-old Malaysian man, was also refused entry after he admitted to helping the group travel to Australia.

The group arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur on on tourist visas.

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The 34-year-old told immigration officers the others were his “family and friends”, but later admitted he was paid 500 Malaysian Ringgit (approximately $180) per passenger to facilitate their travel to Australia .

There was no evidence of human trafficking.

The group, as well as a sixth man who helped them travel, were deported to Malaysia on February 28.
Camera IconThe group, as well as a sixth man who helped them travel, were deported to Malaysia on February 28. Credit: Border Force

The man and four adults, two men aged 33 and 31 and two women aged 20 and 27, were placed in immigration detention overnight prior to their deportation today.

A 17-year-old boy was placed in an Alternative Place of Detention before he too was removed on the same flight back to Kuala Lumpur.

Australian Border Force regional commander James Copeman acknowledged the efforts of the officers who saw through the deception and confirmed the group were non-genuine tourists.

He said illegal workers were at risk of exploitation.

The group waits to be interviewed.
Camera IconThe group waits to be interviewed. Credit: Border Force

“Unfortunately we see foreign nationals attempting to enter Australia to work illegally on a regular basis,” he said.

“This was a deliberate attempt to bring five people into the country under false pretences, and full credit to the ABF officers at Perth Airport who picked them up.

“Illegal foreign workers can be extremely vulnerable to underpayment and poor treatment, while the unscrupulous individuals facilitating them are profiting at their expense.”

Anyone who is aware of an person, business or employer who might be facilitating visa fraud or illegal work is urged to contact Border Watch at www.abf.gov.au/borderwatch.

Reports can be anonymous.

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