Maple News reports a growing trend in immigration fraud targeting foreign professionals eager to work and live in Canada. A recent investigation uncovered an elaborate scheme involving fake recruiters and bogus immigration consultants, specifically preying on skilled workers from the Middle East.
According to the investigation, a network of ghost companies falsely promises employment opportunities in Canada—especially in cities like Montreal—while deceiving victims into paying large sums under the pretense of job placement and immigration processing. Victims are often highly educated professionals seeking legitimate career paths.
The fraud typically begins with contact from what appears to be a credible job recruiter, often offering roles in the construction or trades sector. These recruiters emulate standard hiring procedures, conducting interviews and requesting HR-style documentation. Once a candidate seems committed, they are referred to a supposed immigration consultant and are soon asked to pay for immigration services, job application fees, and other fabricated expenses.
Fraudsters go to great lengths to appear legitimate. They build professional-looking websites, use stolen identities and license numbers of real immigration consultants, and even claim ties with genuine Canadian government agencies or reputable Canadian firms. These tactics help build false credibility and gain victims’ trust.
Despite long-standing efforts by the Canadian government to warn against such fraud, these scams persist in evolving ways. The Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has repeatedly cautioned newcomers to verify whether their service providers are authorized.
Maple News urges all prospective immigrants to protect themselves by asking a simple but powerful question: Is the recruiter or immigration representative licensed? Only members in good standing with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), Canadian provincial law societies, or the Chambre des notaires du Québec are authorized to offer immigration services.
Additionally, immigrants should independently verify job offers and never transfer money to unfamiliar individuals without due diligence. Red flags include requests for upfront payments, pressure to act quickly, or promises of guaranteed visas or employment.
Canada remains a desirable destination for workers worldwide, but bad actors continue to exploit that demand. Staying informed and vigilant is the first line of defense against immigration fraud.
For continued updates and expert immigration reporting, stay with Maple News.