IELTS LANGUAGE TEST FRAUD ALLEGED

A new and unforeseen concern: language test fraud. I think that this could be happening in some locations if those administering the test are in certain countries of high fraud, and willing to be bribed. I am sure we will here more in due course.

Some immigrants faking language tests, officials Canada News London Free Press


Some immigrants faking language tests, officials

By Tom Godfrey, QMI Agency

Last Updated: November 15, 2011 8:39pm


TORONTO -- Federal immigration officials are targeting unscrupulous immigrants who are paying big bucks for fake certificates that show they have mastered English or French tests required to come to Canada.

The fraudulent language tests were first detected among immigrants applying to come here from Indonesia and Timor-Leste, according to a report from a Canadian visa officer in Indonesia.

Some Toronto lawyers claim a number of tradespeople and immigrants find the standardized International English Language Testing System (IELTS) difficult and have to write the test twice or three times to pass.

Immigrants are required to have a working knowledge of either of the official languages before they're allowed to come to Canada as permanent residents.

"Fraud exists primarily with language testing," the officer told Ottawa of the high failure rate. "Candidates for immigration to Canada must demonstrate that they have a solid knowledge of English or French."

The officer said the fraud is being looked into and some applicants submit questionable paperwork to try and obtain a visa.

"Often IELTS fraud ... is suspected by our office," the visa officer said. "Financial statements, such as bank letters and accounting reports, are not reliable."

The officer warned "unreliable civil documents and financial statements make the screening of legality of net worth a challenge."

Canadian immigration lawyer Richard Kurland, who obtained the report, said the language testing fraud has spread from Indonesia to other countries.

"The fraud range goes from the wrong people taking the test to hacking into the system to change grades," Kurland said on Monday.