Queensland mum claims she was tricked into arranged marriage

A mother of two has told a Queensland court she was tricked into an arranged marriage.

Migration agent Chetan Mashru and celebrant Divya Gowda have been accused of arranging 17 marriages for visas.

Today, Hayley Leyt claimed she was an unwilling participant, having signed the marriage certificate thinking it related to her job hunt.

"It was set up, I didn't know anything until I got there," she said.

"I didn't understand because the writing was too small and I just couldn’t really read it."

She said she tried to back out the next day but was told it was a "two-year arrangement".

During the next five months she received about $5000.

Also giving evidence today were two men who allegedly got married to stay in Australia.

Pargat Singh told the court he paid Mr Mashru $10,000 up front along with $2600 for the marriage, and $1000 every month "to the girl".

Amrit Singh said when the immigration department began investigating, the accused told him to put some of his wife’s possessions in his house to make it look like she lived there.

The hearing continues tomorrow.