Fed: Company considering legal action over forged letter

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2000
Fed: Company considering legal action over forged letter

A company whose letterhead was used by six Chinese nationals in a bogus invitation
to enter Australia is considering legal action over the forgery.

RON SMITH, managing director of Melbourne-based internet company medialaunch.co.au,
says according to reports the forged letter had come from a tour operator based in Melbourne.

Mr SMITH says he expects any company proven to be involved in the scam to be charged
with criminal offences.

Yesterday an Immigration Department spokeswoman says the Chinese people had legally
entered Australia through Cairns Airport.

One of the members of the group presented the bogus invitation to airport officials
when they arrived on Thursday morning.

The forged letter was prepared on a cut and past letterhead with details from the company's
website and included a forged signature from the managing editor.

Mr SMITH said the fact that Chinese officials had used the forged letter without checking
its authenticity with his company was of serious concern.

He says he's also raised the issue of immigration officials accepting photostat copies
of documents with the federal immigration minister.

AAP RTV ch/dmc

KEYWORD: VISA (BRISBANE)

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