The identity of a Samoan entrepreneur, Latifah Queen Afoa, has been released nearly a year after he was sentenced to four years in prison for exploiting Samoan workers.

His name suppression was recently lifted.

Afoa, a Samoan national, ran a migrant exploitation scheme from 2014 to 2021. He bribed staff at Immigration New Zealand’s Apia office to secure visitor visas for Samoans who she knew would work illegally in New Zealand.

Workers were employed for more than 40 hours a week and paid NZ$100 a day, below the adult minimum wage. Afoa did not provide holiday or sick pay, payslips, or individual employment agreements.

He also used an associate to house many of the workers and help with visa applications. The associate faces charges related to the scheme.

Afoa pleaded guilty to 12 representative charges, including six counts of exploiting unlawful or temporary employees, two counts of aiding and abetting, and one count of providing false information. He was ordered to pay NZ$49,858.96 in reparations to her victims.

Immigration New Zealand confirmed staff in its Samoan office were bribed and said it is working with partner agencies to address corruption.