The Canada Border Services Agency has announced in a press release that it has filed almost 150 different charges against an immigration consultant based in Montreal.
The consultant is accused of aiding and abetting people to misrepresent themselves and forging documents for those looking to obtain refugee status and temporary resident permits. The man provided immigration advice for a fee, which is now illegal if the person is not authorized to do so by the regulating body of immigration consultants in Canada.
Immigration Consultant Scams
Not all immigration consultants operate under that title, some operate through other businesses and through word of mouth. That was the case with one woman running a dry cleaner service in Scarborough, accused of taking thousands from people she allegedly told she could get their relatives into Canada because she knew someone at Citizenship and Immigration Canada. That full article is here. Of course, despite numerous people paying between $500 and $5,000, no one has gotten their family into Canada – or their money back.
Immigration Consultant Arrested – Make Sure It Doesn’t Happen to You!
As always, the lesson of this story is that even if using some immigration consultants seems like it will save money and guarantee you a place in a Canada – it could result in money wasted, your own arrest or the permanent denial of your applications to immigrate to Canada. Don’t take chances on questionable immigration consultants (some are great mind you). But as they say “buyer beware”.
If you need help with Canadian immigration, feel free to use our free online assessment form here.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
