Belinda Yong, involved in a sham marriage for a visa, won’t go to jail but will be deported from Australia. Yong admitted to the fake marriage, which promised her $30,000 and permanent residency. She also faced charges for submitting false documents to support her visa application. Arriving in Australia in 2013, initially working in adult entertainment, she later became an accountant. Her January 2018 marriage to another temporary visa holder had no intention of living as a married couple. Despite a three-year jail term, it was suspended due to her guilty plea and the goal to avoid a lengthy trial. The judge considered her personal circumstances and aims for her to rebuild her life in Malaysia.
Prosecutor Daniel Caruana highlighted the challenge of detecting sham marriages and their impact on the immigration system. He argued for a jail term to deter similar offenses. Nonetheless, the judge’s decision considered Yong’s guilty plea and personal situation while emphasizing the need to discourage such activities.