Last January I wrote about a consultant, based in Montreal, who was accused of helping hundreds of people file fake citizenship applications. Here we are, a year later, and I am writing about the same thing, this time with respect to a consultant based in Toronto.
Many applicants who do not live in Canada file citizenship applications based on fake evidence claiming that they did live in Canada. Citizenship officers are very much aware that such applications get filed far too often, and they are alert to signs of fraud. In this case, they noticed that too many applications were coming from the same address. So they started to check out all of the applications coming from that address.
The address in question turned out to be that of a consultant. I don’t know if that consultant was licensed or not. I suspect not. According to newspaper reports, no one knows where he is now.
In the meantime, all applications processed through his office are being very carefully scrutinized, and those that are fake are quite likely to be exposed.
It is likely that the authorities will also review older cases. Some people who already have citizenship can lose their citizenship if the authorities find evidence of fraud.
As for those of his clients who are genuine, they will be subjected to pretty tough scrutiny too. Officers will be sceptical about all of his clients, and even the legitimate ones will have problems as a result.
Is it fair that honest applicants will suffer for the dishonesty of others? Of course not. But that is what is likely to happen. Honest applicants will find that they are subjected to extra tough reviews, and will have to produce even better than normal proof, or risk being rejected.
I fear that some of the qualified candidates may have been sloppy. Too many people ruin otherwise good applications by using unnecessary false proof, by leaving out pieces of the truth, and by otherwise following bad advice by dishonest people.
If you are in trouble, lawyers like me are willing to help you try to sort it out. But it is better not to get into trouble in the first place. I have seen too many good applications ruined by bad advice, and bad choices.
Beware invitations to cheat. If you have an honest application, do not fall into the temptation of making it “simple”, or making it “stronger”, by adding false details or omitting real details.
I have been an immigration lawyer for almost 22 years. I can assure you, there are no “new” ways to cheat. Every example I have seen is a variation of an old trick that has been around longer than me. Immigration and citizenship officers know the tricks too. Eventually, fraudsters are exposed.
If you are asking for help from someone and they suggest you cheat, get away from them. They probably have a bad reputation with the immigration authorities. Your case may be subjected to extra, unnecessary, attention from immigration authorities. And they may do something that ruins your otherwise good application. I have seen it happen to good people too many times.
The Toronto based consultant had a client list of more than 300 people. Every one of those clients will now have their case subjected to a very careful and thorough scrutiny. Those who did not qualify in the first place will be properly rejected. How many good cases will also suffer?
Author: James Gregory
