MONTRÉAL, Aug. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that two people, acting as immigration consultants, were arrested by the CBSA's Criminal Investigations Division and will face charges of fraud and conspiracy as well as counselling, aiding or abetting others to make misrepresentations.
According to the CBSA's investigation, Georges Massoud and Fatma Iscan helped several families pretend to have resided in Canada between 2007 and 2015, thus allowing them to fraudulently obtain and maintain their permanent resident status with the goal of obtaining Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport, to which they were not entitled.
Georges Massoud and Fatma Iscan, as well as the consultant firm CANIMCO Inc., are facing 10 counts under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and Canada's Criminal Code.
Quotes
The CBSA conducts investigations and prosecutes immigration offenders to the full extent of the law. Immigration fraud is a criminal offence. The discovery of this fraudulent scheme allowed us to prevent other people from fraudulently being given permanent residence or Canadian citizenship. The CBSA's investigations help to protect the integrity of Canada's immigration systems and prosecute offenders before the courts.
- Benoît Chiquette, CBSA Regional Director General, Quebec Region
Quick facts
- Anyone who violates immigration laws could face serious consequences, primarily a criminal conviction, incarceration, fines and periods of probation.
- To report immigration fraud in Canada, call the border watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060. All calls are confidential.
Related products
- The CBSA's criminal investigations program
- Learn about using a representative
- Protect yourself from fraud
Follow the CBSA on Twitter (@CanBorder), join us on Facebook or visit our YouTube channel.
SOURCE Canada Border Services Agency
Media Relations, Quebec Region, Canada Border Services Agency, 514-350-6130
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