This is the conclusion of a case previously reported. Apparently these individuals filed many citizenship applications for people in the Middle East who pretended to be in Canada to qualify for citizenship.
ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE Door Closes on Citizenship Scam
December 5, 2011 12:23 PM
Door Closes on Citizenship Scam
MILTON, ON, Dec. 5, 2011 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, November 30th, 2011, Ahmad Mustapha EL-AKHAL (age 64) of Montreal, Quebec, appeared at the Brampton Ontario Courthouse where he pleaded guilty to three (3) separate charges under the Criminal Code, the Citizenship Act, and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada.
Ahmad Mustapha EL -AKHAL received a jail sentence for three (3) years concurrent on each charge. Hussam Hassan Ali SAIF (age 45) also an accused in this case, received a conditional sentence on September 15th, 2011. During the investigation $150,000.00 was seized and ordered forfeited by the Court.
This investigation began in 2008 from allegations made by Citizenship and Immigration Canada stating that several individuals were using addresses of convenience to show they resided in Canada while they were actually living in the Middle East.
The charges resulted from a joint investigation between the RCMP Greater Toronto Area Immigration & Passport Section and the RCMP Greater Toronto Area Commercial Crime Section in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency.
Identity fraud is an increasing problem in Canada, draining millions of government tax dollars every year. The RCMP is working closely with other Canadian and international law enforcement agencies, and with public and private sector partners, to fight this growing trend.
Anyone wishing to report information regarding criminal activity can contact your nearest RCMP Detachment by calling 1-800-387-0020 . Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS .
For further information:
Cpl. Blair J. Kelly
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
A/ Media Relations Coordinator - "O" Division
(613) 384-2750 Ext. 229
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