Sydney, July 27 (DPA) Police Monday raided the Sydney office of a migration agent they believe is exploiting Indians who come to study in Australia.

The raid followed claims on national television that a young Indian reporter posing as a student to expose scams had been assaulted in Sydney.

National broadcaster ABC said it had evidence that agents were offering to help students cheat in English language proficiency tests and provide fake work experience certificates.

Rallies were held this year in Sydney and Melbourne to protest muggings and assaults on Indians that authorities denied were racially motivated. The rallies prompted police to boost patrols at railway stations where many of the attacks had taken place.

Authorities said that Indians were disproportionately the victims of crime because they were more likely than others to be travelling late at night on public transport.

The 90,000 Indians studying in Australia have been urged not to be provoked into revenge attacks that could further inflame racial tensions.

Australia has pulled in many Indian students with its offer of permanent residency for those who gain diplomas in vocational subjects like hairdressing and cooking.

Because of the economic downturn, the government in December made it more difficult for those with vocational qualifications to become permanent residents.