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The group of fake reporters arrive at Brisbane Airport on Wednesday holding Temporary Activity Visas, claiming to be accredited media representatives, in this photo provided by the Australian Border Force. Photo: ABF

Forget fake news. Here’s a whole team of fake Indian journalists, brought to Australia by ‘people smuggler’

The nine bogus reporters were supposedly visiting Australia to cover the Commonwealth Games

Australia

An Indian man has been charged with people smuggling after arriving at Australia’s Brisbane airport with eight other travellers as part of a fake media contingent to cover the Commonwealth Games, authorities said Thursday.

The nine visitors, all from India, were flagged as possible “non-genuine travellers” when they transited through Thailand and were questioned when they arrived in Brisbane Wednesday, the Australian Border Force (ABF) said.

“Eight were found to have fraudulent foreign media credentials,” the border force said in a statement.

“Police will allege in court that the 46-year-old Indian national who did hold valid credentials was facilitating the group’s travel.”
The group of fake reporters arrive at Brisbane Airport on Wednesday holding Temporary Activity Visas, claiming to be accredited media representatives, in this photo provided by the Australian Border Force. Photo: ABF

The man was charged with one count of people smuggling and one count of having false documents and false or misleading information in relation to non-citizens.

The maximum penalty for each charge is 20 years’ jail.

He faced Brisbane Magistrates Court Thursday and was remanded in custody. He is due to re-appear in court on April 6, a court official said.

The eight others were being held in immigration detention.

“The ABF remains highly alert to other similar attempts that may occur as we get closer to the start of the Commonwealth Games,” the Border Force’s Queensland Regional Commander Terry Price said.

Queensland Police’s Assistant Commissioner Bob Gee told reporters there was no threat to the multi-sport event, which runs on the Gold Coast from April 4-15.

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has already warned Commonwealth Games athletes and support staff not to overstay their visas.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Fake news team held on arrival in Brisbane
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