Man scammed $4,000 by committing immigration fraud in the Greater Toronto Area
Peel Regional Police have arrested a Brampton man who allegedly scammed a Kitchener man out of $4,000. According to investigators, the man had told his victim that he was an Immigration Officer with the Canada Border Services Agency and told the man he could get him status in Canada for a payment. It was the victim who eventually alerted police to having been defrauded, and police are also saying that it’s likely that there are other victims of this immigration fraud in the Greater Toronto Area.
Impersonating a peace officer and fraud under $5,000 are just some examples of the charges this man is facing.
Avoiding immigration fraud in Toronto or anywhere
Let this be a reminder: No one can guarantee you lawful status for only a sum of money directly paid to them, even if they are claiming to be an Immigration Officer with the Canada Border Services Agency. It just won’t happen, and it’s fraud. While the victim in this case is the one who called the police, many victims don’t report immigration fraud in the Greater Toronto Area because they are afraid of the immigration repercussions. The result is that they are out a large sum of money and their immigration plans are derailed at the same time.
If anyone – “immigration official” or not – says they can get you guaranteed status in Canada for a bribe – call the police. Even the most qualified and experienced immigration lawyer knows they can’t make a guarantee, but they can tell you if your application is likely or not likely to be approved – and give you the best chance for success while they’re at it.
Intake
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.
