1515555 (Refugee)

The applicant, a citizen of China, sought review of a decision by the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs to refuse to grant a protection visa. The applicant claimed to fear persecution in China due to being involved in a car accident, a subsequent money dispute, allegations of falsely collected money, and being a victim of extortion by an executive, leading to a fear of gangsters.

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal was required to determine whether the applicant had established a well-founded fear of persecution for a reason within the meaning of the *Migration Act 1958* (Cth). Specifically, the Tribunal had to consider whether the applicant's claimed fear of gangsters constituted a fear of persecution based on membership of a particular social group, and whether the applicant's evidence was credible.

The Tribunal found that the applicant's claims regarding the car accident and subsequent events lacked sufficient credibility. It noted inconsistencies in the applicant's account and a failure to provide corroborating evidence. Consequently, the Tribunal concluded that the applicant had not established a well-founded fear of persecution for a Convention reason, including membership of a particular social group, and therefore affirmed the Minister's decision.