Case Overview:
An administrative scrivener (A, 45) and two recruiters (B, 41; C, 31) were referred to the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors’ Office for allegedly helping 32 Mongolian nationals obtain Technology Startup (D-10-2) visas using fraudulent patent applications, in violation of the Immigration Control Act.

Modus Operandi:
The suspects exploited the long patent examination process by copying or combining existing patents to submit false applications, which were then used to support visa status changes.

Financial Transactions:
A charged 4–6 million won per applicant, while recruiters received 30–40% of the fees as commission via social media referrals.

Authorities’ Response:
Yangju Immigration Office emphasized that the Technology Startup visa is for attracting genuine technical talent and pledged stricter monitoring and enforcement against illegal visa brokerage.

Implications:
The case highlights weaknesses in the visa system that allow exploitation through fraudulent documentation, emphasizing the need for stricter verification and oversight.

Original Source : https://www.incheonilbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1314610