MONTREAL, June 19, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has laid 61 charges against Carol Massoud, under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Criminal Code. Ms. Massoud appeared at the Montréal courthouse today.
Carol Massoud has been charged with inducing, aiding or abetting individuals to misrepresent themselves to the Government of Canada for immigration purposes, and with possessing property obtained by crime. The charges relate to activities going as far back as April 2004. Ms. Massoud has also been charged with acting as an immigration representative for a fee without being authorized, providing false or misleading information to encourage immigration to Canada, and making written statements that she knew were false or misleading to procure passports for other people.
An investigation conducted over a number of months concluded that Ms. Massoud helped 30 families commit residency fraud, creating the fictitious appearance of a Canadian residence for immigrants with Canadian permanent resident status, for the purpose of maintaining that status and obtaining Canadian citizenship.
"Immigration fraud is a criminal offence in Canada and damages the integrity of our immigration system," said Benoît Chiquette, Regional Director General, CBSA, Quebec Region. "The CBSA takes this issue very seriously and works closely with its partners, such as Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Montréal Police Service, to identify, investigate and prosecute those engaging in immigration fraud to the full extent of the law."
The CBSA Criminal Investigations Division is responsible for conducting investigations with respect to violations of the Customs Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and violations related to the importing of food, plants and animals that are restricted or prohibited in Canada. CBSA officers investigate border security offences, such as the use of fraudulent documents to gain access to Canada and immigration misrepresentation.
To report immigration fraud in Canada or if you have any information on individuals involved in such activity, call the Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060. All information is treated as confidential.
CBSA Media Relations
Quebec Region
Telephone: 514-350-6130
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