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Migration Advisory Service

Migration Advisory Service review: Visa scam 64

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8:52 am EDT
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Migration Advisory Service also operates as Electrician Australia, Teaching Australia, Carpenter Australia, Emigrate Australia and Violet Popsicle Media.
They are not located at either 50 Jermyn Street or 3rd Floor, 14 Hanover Street. These are virtual offices which they pay to pose as if they are based there. The receptionists are also not part of the company and answer the switch board but do not have anything to do with the company. You can not get through to any of the employees as they are always away from their desks or in a meeting.
These companies are not MARA registered agents despite what the websites claim. Migration Advisory Service is also not a UK registered company.
They promise to provide you with a Visa within 12 months. Once they have received your money, communication stops and they do not respond to emails. Whenever you call the switchboard the receptionist gives an excuse why they can not take the call.
When told that I was going to the police as the company was not legit the receptionist answered 'Ok i will pass on the message'. An employee still did not return my call!

The police are aware of this company and a fraud report is currently being looked into.

Do not use either of these companies to provide you with a visa!

64 comments
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Mark Li
, US
Oct 22, 2021 3:56 am EDT

These are people reviews supporting evidence of these fiona and its team scammed people.

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Mark Li
, US
Oct 22, 2021 3:56 am EDT

Wave Clinic CEO Ms Fiona is playing forty games by scamming innocent clients and give false hopes to their families for the treatment they provide. The Malaysian Police should direct take action against them.

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Visitor996
, US
Jan 22, 2021 4:47 am EST

Fiona Markham now goes under Fiona Caroll and runs a rehab called The Wave Clinic in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

Please direct the police here.

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helper8879
, US
Jan 22, 2021 2:07 am EST
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This is their website: https://thewaveclinic.com/ - There are phone numbers and Fiona lives on the property. International police can get to her there. She is now scamming children.

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Caro10
, CH
Sep 22, 2018 8:40 am EDT

Fiona Markham is now Clinical director of a clinic in Malaysia, Wave clinic for adolescents with mental health issues. Pretty scary to think someone like this is responsible for a child mental health recoveryhttps://thewaveclinic.com/team/fiona-markham

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Davedundee
, GB
Sep 28, 2018 3:02 pm EDT
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Replying to comment of Caro10

She is living the dream life in a paradise environment (see the link on her company website to their Facebook page she goes under the name of Fiona Carroll now) much like the life I planned with the M.A.S. but alas my contribution went towards their lifestyle and here I am still in sunny England.

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monkeylover123
, US
Jun 28, 2018 4:10 am EDT

Fiona is hiding out in Chiang Mai, Thailand, scamming rehabs and sick clients. Please report her to authorities.

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Clare007
, GB
Sep 09, 2016 12:11 pm EDT

Hi, I'm also in contact with James, he's doing a statement with the information I've past on. We were scammed more than that... not abt the money though, im worried where all our personal details are...
Kind Regards Clare

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aulmartyboy
, GB
Sep 06, 2016 5:44 am EDT

Hi guys, so i know we are a few months since the last thread, just wondering on evreyones positions now? i'm in contact with a guy James Rodriguez from the Gibraltar police, he has my information now to try and help with this case. has anyone else been in contact with them as yet? my wife am i git sucked in for 2400 pounds. horrible people altogether.

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Mushypeas11
, US
Jun 14, 2016 1:33 am EDT

Alistair Markham is now the director of Emigrate Limited, which was incorporated in October 2015. He must be starting the scam again to sustain his lifestyle... as his wife is something to do with WER International Rehabs.

When are the police actually going to step in and sort this out?

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Tom Openshaw
, US
May 27, 2016 9:54 am EDT

Hi,
The same happened to us £2430 down. I've spoken to the Royal Gibraltar Police, citizens advice, PayPal and my Visa card provider. Does anyone have any tips on getting money back. Also, we're going alone to get a visa now, instead of going to do a trade test which was suggested and paid for through Emigrate Australia or Immigration advisory service as it was when we began the process, we went to Trade Recognition Australia. This isn't the same for all trades and professions but it worked for us. To anyone who has been granted a visa, congratulations first of all. Secondary, how long did you wait after putting in an expression of interest? Thanks for any help or advice.
On another point, if Alistar Markham is on bail he is not the same guy who lives in a bedsit in Singapore and if the fella who claims to know him is being truthful could he please get an explanation for us all?

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Davedundee
, GB
May 18, 2016 3:40 am EDT
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I also have been scammed by this company. After receiving a phone call from them as I showed interest on their website the person on the phone (Nicole) gave me all the answers one would wish to hear. Being now excited at the prospect and acquiring a visa and having undertaken this process unsuccessfully before as my occupation was removed from the wanted list, I proceeded with the Migration Advisory Service. I double questioned them at every stage being surprised at their positive answers to questions that I believed had negative outcomes e.g. "but the Northern Territory does not have my occupation on their list" and each time I'd be told a loophole or reason why I can apply. After much expense for my accountant to prepare my Self Employed accounts and IELTS test which I had to travel and stay away for as well as the £2100 and skills test £750 to the M.A.S. I received all my paperwork in the post and a sorry note that stated I'd be refunded. That was six months ago and they have vanished. I have contacted Watchdog, I have made a Fraud report to the police who unfortunately seem to have passed that on to the local constabulary closest to the fictitious address of the M.A.S. and thats it, the lines gone dead. I am glad to have found a few here that would also like to pursue these people and lynch these ********s because I for one would like to take this further and see these people suffer for their crimes.

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Victoria Christodoulou
, US
Apr 19, 2016 3:50 pm EDT

I know this is probably an old thread but I've only just now seen this. I too have been scammed big time from this company. I have lost out on £4260. I originally dealt with a Thomas Johnson, then a Nicola Hamilton, then Fiona Markham then lastly a James Gordon-Clarke. I have reported them to action fraud, the Australian Dob in service, the police and spoke to citizens advice bureau. Depending on how you paid you could potentially get your money back. If you paid via PayPal or credit card you are fine. If you did a transfer then you are screwed. I've managed to reclaim half but the other half is lost. They have been found to be trading from Gibraltar. Police in Spain are aware of this and have arrested someone but he is on bail. His name is alistair Markham. The police are trying to get him send down for this as he has ruined several people's lives and taken their hard earned cash. I personally have given my statement to the police who came out from gilbralter to England. If anyone wants to talk direct please get in contact and I can point you in the direction of where you need to go to report this. The more cases the police have the better to get all these people sent down. Please come forward don't be scared. Even if we have no joy of getting our money back at least we can try and get justice.

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CristinaC
, US
May 29, 2017 9:15 am EDT

Fiona Markham has just moved from Spain to Thailand. She is currently working at The Cabin Chiang Mai. Her boss can be contacted at +[protected]

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Clare007
, GB
Mar 01, 2016 3:40 pm EST

Hi, IV already posted my experience on page 1. I will be emailing them now. Thanks LinsJL100.

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EB100
, GB
Feb 20, 2016 2:48 am EST

This sounds like good progress towards understanding what happened to our money. I've also been contacted by the Gibraltar police have set up a chat with the detective in charge to pass on our experience.

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LinsJL100
, GB
Feb 20, 2016 2:45 am EST
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More than welcome Barrett67, let's hope everyone else does the same. I'm sure we can nail these ###!

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Barrett67
, GB
Feb 20, 2016 2:21 am EST
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Will be contacting the Economic Crime Unit in Gibraltar later today. Thanks LinsJL100. Would urge others to do the same.

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LinsJL100
, GB
Feb 19, 2016 11:25 am EST
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Hi Everyone,
For all of us who have been scammed, as this is the truth (and not what some people are claiming) I have been contacted this week both by email and by phone by the Economic Crime Unit in Gibraltar. They are happy for me to post that they have an open investigation with regards to this scam, currently with 52 complaints and have arrested someone. They have informed me to urge anyone who has not already done so to contact them on the following email address ecu.royalgib.police.gi to give them any information you have. They are currently collecting witness statements and are looking to visit all who have been scammed. This is fantastic news and I hope that anyone who has not yet spoken to the police will do so. Let's get these Bas**rds done for what they have purposely done to us all!

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Barrett67
, GB
Feb 03, 2016 6:34 am EST
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William Bob. Your friend is a scammer. He lies about his business address. He hides behind lots of different company names. He lies about being based in th UK. He creates contracts and breaks them. He cons people into giving out their bank account and passport details. His facebook profile and details I have received from the police indicate you are incorrect about him living in Singapore. If he was genuinely remorseful why would he run away to Singapore? He knows what he has done is illegal and is not brave enough to face the consequences which could include a spell in jail. You're right, many companies go under but they announce it in a professional manner and then go through the correct step s to close their company down. Open your eyes.

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EB100
, GB
Feb 01, 2016 2:12 pm EST

Can see that some people did get a decent service from these guys. My main issue is that I was lied to... consistently and over a long period of time. My wife's paperwork was even sent to the skills assessment body but then teaching australia failed to pay for the assessment to take place and then waited for it to lapse and get mothballed. This was despite me paying a specific amount above and beyond the initial fee which was for the assessment. Our money was evidently used for something else. By lying to me it meant I wasn't aware that our assessment had not been paid for until after the AITSL deadline meaning we have had to start all over again. Luckily the chap I emailed at AITSL was very clear about what we needed to do.

I am also worried about what happened to the second set of documentation we provided. A lot of personal information held by potentially fairly unscrupulous per people. A friend who works in financial services has kindly offered to do a bit of digging which will hopefully lead to some results

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lja336
, GB
Jan 28, 2016 4:48 am EST
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Hi I have only just come across this website. I too have been scammed and we completely devastated. We gave them all of our wedding present money in the hope of emigrating to Australia. has anyone had any luck on getting there money back. What should I do first? I actually am still in shock. I was 'turned down' for a visa and received an email to say so, I should have known then that something was a miss. Please give me some advice.

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WilliamBob
, US
Jan 27, 2016 6:25 pm EST

I feel like someone who needs to speak out and comment here. I do know the beneficial owner quite well and he a nice enough chap. Businesses fail all the time, every day thousands of businesses go under, be it from cost pressure, staff issues, mismanagement. The list is endless. I don’t agree with lots of these comments. I know for a fact this is a handful of disgruntled people and to be honest yes some of them have a right to be disgruntled I guess. But, and it’s a big BUT it is sometimes a case of caveat emptor. Caveat Emptor essentially means ‘buyer beware’ for example, you buy a second hand car for 2k one day and it breaks down, you go back to the garage that sold it but that garage is no longer there. Caveat Emptor. In terms of each and every sale there is a contract in place and terms and conditions. You do need to really be aware of these terms and conditions because they are your rights (or lack thereof). Going on a witchhunt rarely produces any meaningful result especially when there is no money to be had.

I know it has cost the beneficial owner dearly, his family, his home, his sanity and nearly his life. I know that he is working hard on making good lots of the issues he has personally and I respect him for that. I am working with him closely to overcome these issues. He lives now in a modest one bedroom apartment in Singapore and is working as a sales rep at a car dealership. His (almost ex wife) I know helped him out in the early days doing emails and things and he is gutted that she is being crucified for things that had nothing to do with her.

There is no lavish lifestyle and listening to his stories there never really was. Lots of income was reinvested into salaries and advertising and all the usual overheads that come with owning and managing a business. There have been a lot of life lessons learned I think from all sides. There is no slush fund, no lavish bourgeois excess and I think it’s time to move on, recriminations will probably go on for some time but that usually does happen when business go under. I know that he always talks highly of his staff that went out of their way to provide a good service to clients in sometimes difficult and challenging circumstances.

I know that he had some good times and at one time there was lots of excitement as to where the business could potentially get to but things happen, times change, costs come in from all angles like lots of businesses it is a very competitive and challenging market. And sometimes these external pressures drive a business under. I don’t know many online scams that spend over $200, 000 a year on advertising and marketing, I’ve never seen a Nigerian scammer using his real name in business structures and renting offices. It was never set up to be anything but a good company offering a good service in a unique market. The fact that the business went under is so disappointing I can tell from reading to lots of people. It is and was a sorry state of affairs. As far as money is concerned I can assure people that it was never the main motivator and that the beneficial owner is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

That’s my bit and thank you for reading I felt compelled to write.

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Barrett67
, GB
Jan 27, 2016 4:24 pm EST
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Peteroz, judging by the poor grammar you demonstrate in your posts, I don't believe for one moment you passed any of the appropriate skills test required to obtain a visa to work as a professional in Australia. Can only assume you are a 'friend' of the Markhams and this is a pathetic attempt to defend their illegal activities. IF you did obtain a visa through one of their scam companies then please do get in touch with the police - you may be able to help with their enquiries. I suspect you won't! Jog on Peteroz and don't insult our intelligence.

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peteroz
, US
Jan 26, 2016 4:11 pm EST

some of these comments make me feel SICK s a human being how dare you say stuff like this on line it dosent matter what you feel when you all agree and encourage these things it is like trolling. really sick paresh you need to be taken away to an institution at once i hope i never see you because i will fear for my family and my friends

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peteroz
, US
Jan 26, 2016 4:06 pm EST

I actually had quite a nice service from these guys over a year ago. It was tough you know, really tough going about all the paperwork and I must say that my consultant was brilliant she even helped with my university who wasnt too forthcoming with the information that i needed. i got my anmac skills assessmeent and i got my visa in the end for PR no less and to be honest i am very very happy with things. i find it difficult to see the logic in some of these 'complaints' maybe i dont know maybe you dont pass skills assessment and you want to blame people i dont know. sometimes you know australia only open their door to people with the righ qualifications and if you try and lie on your qualifcations YOU WILL BE FOUND OUT always. dont even try study, study and get EXPERIENCE. i class my consultant now as my friend. this feels like an attack on my friend and i dont want to detract anytuing from you but it makes me very offeneded to see these things. anyhow i dont see any names fro the people i used above but i did use this company and i just have to say that i was happy with them, i trust them and they become friends after my visa was granted.

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laa22
, US
Jan 26, 2016 11:42 am EST

UPDATE - look at the links

do a domain search on markham. makes for interesting reading., .., all different names and addresses and more people commenting they have been done over. why the f did i trust this lot.. some more pictures found swell... here they claim to be MARA regulated! misrepresentation

88 tilehousestreet hitchin (bedfordshire police)
lower stondon? (bedforedshire police)

Website: emigrateaustralia.co.uk
Title: Emigrate Australia - The UKs Top Emigration Consultancy
Description: Emigrate to Australia with the UK's #1 Emigrate Australia Experts. MARA Regulated Con

Domain Age: 2 Years, 26 Days
Website Speed: Slow
Website Value: $251.99

Organisation: 3rd Floor
Owner: Fiona Prevett
Owner Address: 14 Hanover Street
Owner City: London
Owner Postcode: W1S 1YH
Owner Country : United Kingdom
Website Location : United Kingdom
http://www.scamadviser.com/check-website/emigrateaustralia.co.uk

and one is mr markham name
http://www.scamadviser.com/check-website/emigrate-australia.com

Website: emigrate-australia.com

Domain Age: 1 Years, 340 Days
Website Speed: Very Fast

Organisation: Alistair Markham
Owner: Alistair Markham
Owner Address: Flat 3 88 Tilehouse Street
Owner City: Hitchin
Owner Postcode: SG5 2DU
Phone Number: +44.[protected]
Phone Type: mobile: Vodafone Ltd
Email:

http://www.netmums.com/northherts/local/view/support-groups/antenatal-postnatal-support/physis-therapy-and-counselling-1

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Barrett67
, GB
Jan 23, 2016 4:38 am EST
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I reported my scam to Action Fraud and the police are investigating. I agree with all the previous posts about not letting them get away with it. I too have viewed their facebook profiles and it is frustrating seeing them living their lives with our money. Everyone MUST report them to the police so they take this crime seriously. I also reported them to HMRC fraud department for possible tax evasion. I believe they are reading all these comments, as I received a threatening email from their 'legal advisor' just before they disappeared saying they would take me to court for slander if they saw any more negative comments about their company / directors posted on forums such as this. I am this week emailing local newspapers in Gibralter to see if they could get an investigative journalist onto this story as it may be of interest to the Gibralter media. Anything that will bring them both into the spotlight so they can be prosecuted is a good thing.

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paresh1234
, US
Jan 21, 2016 1:53 pm EST

oh my oh gosh lets take this one and r a p e it

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paresh1234
, US
Jan 21, 2016 1:32 pm EST

thank you bob johnson for bringing to my esteemed attebtion the peoole here i asked them and tild then that i could relkease 20, 000, 000, 000 dollar for them but they kept saying no i so glad you see that you say here because it wastes lest time and effort in trying to track down these people if they have no interest in [protected] i mean who has no interest in that kind of dollar i beg you makebe bob if you want to take a little slicce then you can make contact me to find out ho i beg you i cannot spare all this monies myself you know

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Charlotte Needham
, US
Jan 12, 2016 11:43 am EST

I have also been a victim of this fake company. We are completely gutted.

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Clare007
, GB
Dec 14, 2015 2:26 pm EST

Hi, iv just discovered this forum, IV just finished reading the last comment, our story is identical to a lot of your stories, only difference is our payments were paid through PayPal. We have contacted fraud squad, companies house, watchdog and our next step is the police. We have paid out thousands and our case started September 2013! Like a comment on here we Al need to stick together and try to get to the bottom of it.
Kind regards Clare

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Jules36
, US
Dec 14, 2015 8:23 am EST

LinsJL100 I know Nicole as she's a friend and can confirm that she is not acting as Fiona. I know nothing of James, sorry.

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Petgyll
, US
Nov 27, 2015 4:14 pm EST
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Yes, that's who I was looking at! What are the chances that she is married to someone named Alastair Markham & both have the same daughter as profile pic.. Must be them!
I hope this helped! Seems strange that they're just out there and living their lives...
I thought maybe "nicole" and "James" could be them? They posed as those names/employes to gel make their case or something? Makes me so mad :(

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LinsJL100
, GB
Nov 27, 2015 4:08 pm EST
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I think I've found him too! You can't see anything on his profile though.

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LinsJL100
, GB
Nov 27, 2015 4:05 pm EST
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Still can't find Alastair but I think I've found Fiona. Is this her?

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Petgyll
, US
Nov 27, 2015 12:28 pm EST
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https://m.facebook.com/fifi.lulla?tsid=0.8708275062963367&source=typeahead

https://m.facebook.com/alistairm12?tsid=0.43455911823548377&source=typeahead

I'm not sure if this works. Tried linking their Facebook pages

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Petgyll
, US
Nov 27, 2015 12:24 pm EST
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I searched their names Alastair Markham & Fiona Markham & found Alastair with a profile pic of their child & fionas pic was with her & their child. I saw on fionas profile, a photo she uploaded which had a comment from someone who lived close to Gibraltar also their child has a Facebook which had a "moved to Gibraltar status" we are going to the police tomorrow since we need to involve Interpol since we live in Sweden.

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LinsJL100
, GB
Nov 27, 2015 12:01 pm EST
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Petgyll, I can't locate them on Facebook. How did you find them. How do their names appear? I am going to re contact action fraud and advise them of this but I need to find them too. Have you reported it to the police yet?

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Petgyll
, US
Nov 27, 2015 11:30 am EST
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We just found this site and have wondered awhile about this company.
Lost a lot of money and time planning on a move which isn't seem to happen soon.

I found their face books, Alastair & Fiona markham's that is.
They live in Gibraltar as someone said.
I'm uploading their photos if anyone wants to send them a personal message via Facebook. Search for their names.
This is what they look like, If anyone cares.

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LinsJL100
, GB
Nov 23, 2015 5:34 am EST
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Jukes36, sadly I think every-one who has been disgustingly scammed are aware that this company has now gone. May I please ask how you know about the staff members? And how long ago the last known where a bouts of the Markhams is? Is that recent? Thanks.

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LinsJL100
, GB
Nov 23, 2015 5:32 am EST
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Can I please urge every-one on this thread to lodge a complaint with the police if you haven't already done so. They will only investigate if there are enough complaints. I logged mine last week. I am going to contact them by phone within the next week or so to see if they have enough complaints to look into this. I have a friend of mine on the case looking into bank details etc (there is always a trail), I am not going to let this lie but we all need to push for an investigation together. If you haven't already done so please report online at actionfraud.police.uk or phone [protected]. I will be keeping on top of this on this thread and the other thread about this company. Lets all stick together, you never know...