Canada identified 300 cases of fraud related to the admission of Indian students
In 2018, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) was investigating organized crime groups involved in issues related to students’ non-attendance at universities and their involvement in crimes and gangs. Out of 2000 cases examined, 300 were reported as dangerous.
Months later, it is stated that Sean Fraser, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship of Canada, formed a group consisting of senior officials from CBSA and IRCC to address reports related to forged documents for the use of study permits.
Maria Ladoucer, a spokesperson for
the CBSA, revealed in an interview with The FPJ in March 2023 that private colleges increasingly invite foreign nationals to enroll and then promise them work permits after graduation.
For example, according to the CBSA report, a private college in Quebec in 2022 was enticing foreign students to pay $25,000 for permanent residency. These fraudulent cases have paved the way for a policy change in Canada regarding work permits with the CBSA. As a result, under new laws, institutions must be approved by the provincial or regional government before accepting international students.
Foreign students seeking to study in Canada need to provide a letter of acceptance from reputable institutions to qualify for a study permit. They are also responsible for all the information and documents provided in their application letter.
Brijesh Mishra, who allegedly signed forged acceptance letters for students, has been arrested by Canadian authorities.
According to reports, Mishra had been imprisoned in 2013 for forging documents for students going abroad, and the consulting company he managed was attacked by Punjab police, resulting in the confiscation of his cash and passport.
Many students claimed that they were unaware of the forgery of their acceptance letters until CBSA initiated removal proceedings against them for permanent residency applications in 2022.