Immigration fraud is on the rise in Canada, stressing foreign workers and immigrants’ need to be cautious. We strongly advise that individuals looking to receive job offers in Canada from recruiters do their due diligence by asking the right questions and performing research as necessary. Bad actors (scammers stand in as mock job recruiters who) offer fake immigration consultations to individuals looking to work in Canada. At times, they may entice immigrants to send them money with a promise to find them work in Canada. Please do not fall victim to such requests.
Evidence of Immigration Scam
The Montreal Gazette recently provided evidence of a network of ghost firms operating immigration scams. Bad actors were using the prospect of living and working in Montreal to scam skilled workers in Middle Eastern and Asian countries. Victims of this scam say they were initially contacted by a mock recruiter looking to hire people to work in Canada. They claimed to be seeking people to fill jobs in the construction industry. They use a process similar to the standard hiring model in the country. Once this phase has passed, the victims were referred to a mock immigration consultant and asked to fill out additional documentation. They were then told to send funds. Please keep reading for more information on how you may protect yourself from falling victim to such scams.
How do Scammers Manage to be Convincing?
Scammers provide detailed information and create sites that generate trust in their firms. They display data about credible job offers and real names of people that were likely stolen. Scam immigration officers’ identities and credentials may appear legitimate because they may have stolen the data from real consultants online. They also claim to be affiliated with legitimate government agencies to gain the trust of potential victims.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
If you wish to come to Canada seeking for work, make sure to do background checks on whoever is behind your immigration process by asking the following:
Is he/she a Licensed Representative?
In Canada, only lawyers and consultants who have valid licenses and credentials have the authority to offer Canadian immigration consultation in exchange for a fee. All provinces in Canada have a directory listing licensed lawyers. This can help you find and confirm the credentials of the representative. Canada also has a national registry of immigration consultants.
Am I Speaking to the Representative I Choose?
Perform due diligence to make sure you are speaking with the representative you requested going forward. Visit their official website, confirm their office location, and reach them directly via official channels. Most consultants prefer speaking about sensitive information through phone calls, and emails, or via in-person meetings.
What’s the Representative’s Background?
Research the representative’s background. Try to know their level of experience. Get more information about their qualifications and the company they represent. It is only experienced consultants that can handle complex immigration matters. They have the knowledge and ability to help you obtain your immigration documentation.
Is it a Legitimate Job Offer?
Individuals who pose as Canadian immigration representatives or recruiters may present mock offers of employment. If you receive a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, seek a third party’s recommendation. Request proof. Carefully check the company information and website to make sure the offer is valid and legit, and don’t forget that you may always check Canada’s national registry of immigration consultants.