Canada has welcoming immigration policies, attracting many people from around the world to come to Canada and then settle permanently.
However, with the ever-increasing number of immigrants, there has also been a corresponding increase in the number of visa and immigration frauds committed.
Common immigration frauds that the Government of Canada warns against include
– Document fraud
– Marriage fraud
– Adoption fraud
– Internet, telephone and e-mail scams
The above frauds are the most frequently observed frauds that have even led to the Government of Canada issuing an advisory on them.
Document fraud:

Lying or providing false information or documents to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is taken seriously. This is also considered “misrepresentation”.
Document fraud involves providing altered or falsified documents, including
– Visas
– Passports and other travel documents
– Police certificates
– Diplomas and degrees, or trade and apprenticeship documents
– Birth, death, marriage, annulment, final divorce, separation certificates
– Police certificates
Lying or misrepresenting facts in your application or at the time of interview with an IRCC officer is also fraud, as well as a crime.
What happens if you are found out?

If you are guilty of document fraud and you are discovered by IRCC –
– Your application will be refused
– You will be banned from entering Canada for at least 5 years
– You will receive a permanent fraud record
– Your status as a Canadian citizen or PR holder will be revoked
– Charged with a crime
– Removed from Canada
It is at the discretion of the Government of Canada to determine any consequences you will face.
Marriage fraud:

For many people in different parts of the world, marrying a Canadian citizen or PR holder can be the ticket into Canada.
Always be wary of people you just met online who want to get married quickly.
As your spouse’s sponsor, you will be required to support your spouse for 3 years, even if your relationship or marriage fails.
If your spouse is on welfare, you as the sponsor will have to pay the money back.
Always remember that it is a crime for a foreign national to marry a Canadian citizen or PR only to enter Canada.
What happens if you are discovered?

If you enter into a so-called “marriage of convenience” to enter Canada as an immigrant, you may face consequences such as
– Legal action is taken against you
– Deportation from Canada
– Not be allowed to enter Canada for 5 years
Do not get involved in a fake marriage just to get into Canada. Your visa will be refused and you will also be banned from travelling to Canada for 5 years. Keep in mind that this will be marked on your immigration file forever.
Adoption fraud:

International adoptions can be quite complex.
While adhering to the adoption laws of the country of adoption as well as the Canadian government, the adoption laws of the Canadian province or territory involved must also be considered.
If you are the adoptive parent of a child from abroad, always make sure that you are up to date with the latest information and that the planned adoption process meets all requirements.
To avoid unnecessary expense and disappointment, as an adoptive parent you should not plan to return to Canada with the adopted child until you are certain that all citizenship or immigration requirements have been met.
Internet, telephone and e-mail scams:

Always keep in mind that if you are offered something that is too good to be true, it usually is. Not true, it is.
Keep the following in mind:
– You will never receive a visa by e-mail.
– Be careful if someone offers you a very high salary for a job in Canada.
– No one can guarantee you a visa or a job in Canada.
– Visas can only be issued by high commissions, consulates, Canadian embassies and immigration officers in Canada.
– The processing fees are the same worldwide. The difference is only when the same thing is converted into local currency using the official exchange rate.
– The Canadian government will never ask you to deposit money in a personal bank account.