Australian Border Force stops 35 Taiwanese over ‘boiler room scams’

Border Force officers have intercepted a group of Taiwanese nationals over their intended involvement in scams.

Australian border force officers stopped nine passengers who travelled to Australia to take part in the illegal scams when they arrived at Brisbane airport on a flight from Taipei.

Australian Border Force officers have stopped 35 Taiwanese nationals from entering Australia over their intended involvement in “boiler room” scams.

The ABF says it found evidence nine passengers who arrived at Brisbane airport on a flight from Taipei on Saturday had travelled to Australia to take part in the illegal scams.

All nine had their visas cancelled and were detained pending removal from Australia. Six more passengers were detained after arriving on a flight from Taipei on Sunday.

“Subsequent investigations identified another 20 individuals offshore who were intending to travel to Australia to participate in the activity,” an ABF statement says.

“Border alerts have been placed on these individuals to prevent them travelling to Australia.”

Boiler room scams involve callers attempting to fleece large sums of money from victims and commonly involve foreign nationals brought to Australia on student or tourist visas.

ABF Regional Commander Queensland, Terry Price, said investigations were continuing.

“Thanks to the talented officers at Brisbane Airport, we have uncovered a highly organised criminal enterprise and preventing these travellers from coming to Australia will have a significant impact on their operations,” Commander Price said.

“The criminals behind this activity not only harm the victims of the phone scams, but are also taking advantage of foreign nationals, who are often brought to Australia on false promises.

“These workers are usually underpaid, forced to live and work in poor conditions and may be subject to other exploitation like having their passports withheld and being forced to repay a false debt.”