A former staff member at Curtin University in Perth has been sentenced to two years' jail for taking bribes to falsify English test results for foreign students.Keith Low received about $25,000 over a one-year period to change the test results of about 20 students.The results were then used by the students in their applications for permanent residency and citizenship in Australia.
His lawyer told the District Court that Low, 32, had no need for the money and his greed had simply got the better of him.He was paid by a number of middle-men who collected up to $81,000 to liaise between Low and the students.A total of nine men were charged over the scam after an investigation by the state's Corruption and Crime Commission.
Its investigator Trevor Wynn says Low's crimes were particularly serious."He preyed on vulnerable people and we know from the news people will do almost anything to come and live in Australia," he said."He preyed on people who paid money for that opportunity."Judge Michael Bowden said Low's crimes had eroded public confidence in the system.
Low will have to serve 12 months before he can be released.Three of the middle-men have received sentences of between 12 months jail and a seven month suspended term.
Curtin University has now closed its International English Language Test service.The groups which run the IELT system around Australia and in several countries have welcomed today's sentence.They say any attempt to cheat the system will be identified and sanctions imposed.The IELT is used by more than 6,000 organisations around the world.
Source:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-09/former-curtin-staffer-jailed-over-visa-scam/2831476
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