The Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Adelaide has cancelled the tourist visas of a group of illegal workers claiming to be art students, who have allegedly been selling mass-produced art at highly inflated prices.

Over the past week, 10 Israelis departed Australia following cancellation of their visas for working in breach of visa conditions. The remaining member of the group is finalising her arrangements to depart shortly.

The group is suspected of being part of an international network which has conducted similar scams in many other countries. Numerous Internet chat-rooms have been launched by people aggrieved about their purchases.

Complaints allege the artworks are purchased in bulk through the Internet for sums of about $US5. The artworks are then sold for up to $200 by people claiming to have painted them.

The South Australian Government was also aware of the group’s activities and last year warned consumers not to purchase the paintings.