A number of Indian nationals are in the country illegally as a human trafficking scheme is slowly uncovered in Fiji.

Fijivillage has now established that the major scam involves some people in India who lure people who want to leave their country for a better future.

These people are then linked up with a company in Fiji.

The Fiji company then arranges the Indian nationals to come into the country with promises made to the Indians that they will receive the necessary permits and be given jobs.

A fee of between $6,000 to $8,000 is then charged for every person who comes in.

So far there are 13 illegal Indian nationals in custody, 12 of these people were rounded up after raids at Laucala Beach, Nasole and other areas in Nasinu.

The 13th person surrendered herself to the police on Saturday.

The 13 illegal Indian nationals are now assisting the police, customs and immigration officials in catching everyone who is involved in this scam.

Officials have told us that there are definitely many more people who may have entered Fiji illegally and are still staying in the country.

It is now clear that some of the locals working at Fiji's border controls are involved in allowing these immigrants in illegally.

Immigration Director Nemani Vuniwaqa agreed that some officials controlling our borders are allegedly involved.

He said two locals who work for the company that brought in the Indian nationals are currently being questioned and he also had a meeting with the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority.

Vuniwaqa said the FIRCA Border Control also has access to the Immigration Department computers and they have to investigate how certain details of the Indian nationals was logged in although no proper applications and approvals were made.