Fake UTECH student fined

woman poses as UTECH student for US visa

A woman who tendered a fake document to the United States embassy, purporting that she is a student at the University of Technology (UTECH) was hauled before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's (RM) Court yesterday.

Charged with uttering a forged document and forgery is Nastassia Burke. She pleaded guilty to both offences.

The court heard that during a visa application interview, the accused uttered fake documents claiming that she was a student at the institution, knowing that was not the case.

When asked by Senior RM Judith Pusey why she should not go to jail for the offence, Burke said, "Your honour, I made a mistake and I've learnt my lesson."

Burke was then fined $50,000 or six months for uttering and $40,000 or six months for forgery. A fingerprint order was also made against her.