Canadian immigration “scammers” using text messages
Four people in India have been arrested for scamming people looking to immigrate to Canada and an estimated 15 people are victims of this new type of scam, which used text messages.
Random text messages were sent to cell phone users, saying that their Canadian visas had been approved. The victims were then told to send a large amount of money to the scammers in order to have their visa processed. After they got the money, the scammers disappeared or threatened to destroy the victim’s passports unless given more money. At least one of the promised visas was a Canadian Work Visa, and this information was revealed after one of the victims reported the scam after making one payment and handing over his passport, and he was told he would have to pay the remaining amount after receiving his visa.
Forged immigration documents and fake Canadian visa found
When police found the scammers, they also found a fake Canadian visa and a number of other fake immigration documents.
Eventually, various scams infiltrate all forms of communication, from websites and emails to finally text messaging. No Canadian immigration official or legitimate immigration consultant or immigration lawyer will communicate with you via text message, and any text message saying your Canadian visa has been approved should be ignored, deleted or reported to the police. A good immigration lawyer will be available to you in person, not just over the computer or phone.
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.
