See story below. This is not uncommon.
Scam targets newcomers Toronto & GTA News Toronto Sun
Scam targets newcomers
By TOM GODFREY, Toronto Sun
Last Updated: December 15, 2010 8:11pm
Border agents are probing a widening Internet scam preying on newcomers to Canada who have immigration problems.
Officers of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said an online scammer, who defrauded two Chinese foreign students earlier this year in Toronto, surfaced on an immigration-help site last week prompting complaints from people in Windsor.
Investigators said the crooks, who fail to leave a phone number, claim to have “connections inside the federal immigration department” and offered to help for cash those who were having visa problems or are in the country illegally.
A CBSA probe is underway by intelligence agents in the Windsor-St. Clair region to nab those responsible, documents show.
In both Toronto cases, the suspect failed to do work on the victims’ files after collecting up to $20,000 from each person hoping to remain in Canada. The suspect called immigration officers to have the students arrested for removal on warrants.
In one Internet posting, the writer claims to be an interpreter with the Immigration and Refugee Board.
CBSA spokesman Sue Oswald said she couldn’t comment on any investigation that is underway.
Federal immigration officials in Ottawa referred calls to their website that stated “no one can guarantee a visa.”
The website tells immigrants to seek advice from people they trust, talk to potential consultants before choosing one and ask about their training, experience and for a reference.
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