RCMP finds hundreds involved in fake marriage immigration scam
The RCMP have charged a first batch among hundreds of people allegedly involved in an immigration scam in which Canadian women married in exchange for money so that their North African "husbands" could stay in the country.
As part of Operation Conjugal -- an ongoing investigation into the legitimacy of about 315 suspicious marriages that took place between 2007 and 2009 -- police from the immigration and passport section laid 78 new charges against 39 people Tuesday. The charges include misrepresentation and procuring feigned marriage, RCMP Constable Erique Gasse said.
This first group of 39 people, out of a total of 630 people to be charged under Operation Conjugal, are to appear in court Oct. 16.
The early part of this investigation led last February to the dismantling of an organization that was allegedly involved in illegal immigration.
Amadou Niang, 56, who police say is a bogus immigration consultant and the mastermind behind the scheme, appeared briefly in the Montreal courthouse Tuesday and is to return Oct. 23. His lawyers said there may be a plea bargain.
In 2009, police began investigating the suspicious marriages, many of which involved Canadian women of Haitian origin between age 20 and 30.
The RCMP allege in a news release that Niang, a Canadian citizen, provided advice on "how to submit misrepresented facts to Citizenship and Immigration Canada to people whose visas were due to expire."
"Specifically, he organized fake marriages with the assistance of accomplices to allow these individuals originating from North Africa to remain in Canada," the statement says.
Niang already appeared in Quebec Court in March to face 42 related charges, including offences under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Anyone with information about suspected illicit immigration activity can call the RCMP at 514-939-8306 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
FREE 514-939-8306 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. All tips are confidential, the force says.
As part of Operation Conjugal -- an ongoing investigation into the legitimacy of about 315 suspicious marriages that took place between 2007 and 2009 -- police from the immigration and passport section laid 78 new charges against 39 people Tuesday. The charges include misrepresentation and procuring feigned marriage, RCMP Constable Erique Gasse said.
This first group of 39 people, out of a total of 630 people to be charged under Operation Conjugal, are to appear in court Oct. 16.
The early part of this investigation led last February to the dismantling of an organization that was allegedly involved in illegal immigration.
Amadou Niang, 56, who police say is a bogus immigration consultant and the mastermind behind the scheme, appeared briefly in the Montreal courthouse Tuesday and is to return Oct. 23. His lawyers said there may be a plea bargain.
In 2009, police began investigating the suspicious marriages, many of which involved Canadian women of Haitian origin between age 20 and 30.
The RCMP allege in a news release that Niang, a Canadian citizen, provided advice on "how to submit misrepresented facts to Citizenship and Immigration Canada to people whose visas were due to expire."
"Specifically, he organized fake marriages with the assistance of accomplices to allow these individuals originating from North Africa to remain in Canada," the statement says.
Niang already appeared in Quebec Court in March to face 42 related charges, including offences under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Anyone with information about suspected illicit immigration activity can call the RCMP at 514-939-8306 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
FREE 514-939-8306 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. All tips are confidential, the force says.
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