More Visa Details
Police collect more damning evidence against sacked officer at Foreign Affairs Ministry More names of civil servants have surfaced as Police investigations widen Initial information on alleged visa scam is just tip of the iceberg
More shocking details have been uncovered as investigations into the alleged visa scam in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continue.
The exposure of the alleged scam has led to the sacking of a protocol officer and the suspension of the Chief Protocol Officer, Neumi Leweni.
It is understood that Police investigations have collected damning evidence against the sacked officer. More names of civil servants have also been provided as Police investigations widen.
It is believed the alleged scam has been in operation for several years.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said yesterday the file on the sacked female officer would be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions today. She declined to give more details.
But it is understood that the discovery of two non-civil servants in the official list of Government delegates to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London recently was only the tip of the iceberg. The “mystery pair”, understood to be locals, had tried unsuccessfully to enter Australia using a fake visa.
They were caught and sent back on a flight home. How their names got on the CHOGM list was being investigated. It has also been found that the alleged scam also involved the processing of passports and overseas visas not only for civil servants and but non-civil servants too using the special diplomatic privilege. As a result a growing number of civil servants now have multiple visas to certain countries.
It was also discovered that the sacked officer allegedly had an agent in one reputable organisation in Suva. The agent was allegedly openly promoting the alleged clandestine service at a fee. It is understood that the agent was dismissed when the alleged racket was exposed. The whole saga has caused Government some embarrassment in diplomatic circles.
The Government has taken swift action. Mr Leweni has been stood down because the alleged scam was discovered under his watch.