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In the latest Canadian fraud case, an Indian ex-pat living in the UAE was scammed out of 44,000 dirhams ($11,978) when he was tricked into believing that he was obtaining a job in Canada.
Ritesh Mishra, an engineer living and working in Abu Dhabi, was led to believe that he was receiving help from the High Commissioner of India in Canada, Vikas Swarup, as well as a renowned Canadian based lawyer.
Mitesh reported that he had been looking for a change, after working for seven years, and started following the seemingly verified Facebook page of Swarup, in June 2019. After messaging Swarup and leaving his contact details he received a response from Swarup asking him to contact BICC immigration consultancy and the High Commissioner of Canada in India (Nadir Patel).
After contacting Patel, he was asked to via WhatsApp to contact Davidson McIlwraith, a Canadian based attorney. Mishra was led to believe that he had secured a job in Canada with Air Canada and that the company had authorized McIlwraith to handle his immigration to Canada.
He was also asked to open a bank account in Canada to prove that he had enough funds to support his family in Canada. He was asked to transfer 375,000 to open the account. After receiving confirmation from Scotia Bank he was asked to transfer a further Rs 475,000 to a bank in India for tax records, the visa stamp fee, and Educational Credential Assessment(ECA). After which he received an invitation email to stamp his visa. When he arrived at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi he was notified that the letter was in actual fact fake.
Canada has become a popular destination among skilled workers, and scammers are taking advantage of this, using it as an opportunity to scam hard-working people out of their money.
Don’t be a victim of immigration fraud. Have a look at some of our top ways to spot if the Canadian Immigration company you are thinking of using is a scam or real.
How to Tell if a Canadian Job Offer is Fake or Real
With so many different Canadian visa immigration services available it is becoming more and more difficult to tell if a company is fake or real. More and more fraud cases are being reported and it seems as though these scammers are finding new ways to trick hopeful Canadian visa applicants into using their illegitimate services.
Most immigrants are drawn to Canada because of it’s high paying jobs, high quality of life, and free public healthcare and education, however, obtaining a job in Canada is not always easy and this is where immigration scam artists find their way in.
To avoid being tricked into obtaining a fraudulent job offer, we’ve compiled a list of red flags to look out for when you need to know if you are dealing with a fake or real Canadian visa company.
1. It Won’t Cost a Thing
Getting a job in Canada should not cost you anything. Recruitment companies are hired by companies to find suitable employees for them. You should therefore never have to pay an employer or recruiter to help you find a job in Canada. If you find yourself being pressured into making a payment in exchange for a job offer or to give your personal details, this is usually a sign that the company you are dealing with is a fraud.
2. Paid Conditions
If you are told that your job offer or letter of employment is subject to you having to pay for job materials or for training before you get the job, run! A recruiter or employer will never ask you to pay for anything that is needed for you to do your job and usually signifies that the job you are applying for does not exist and the person or company you are in contact with is a fraud.
3. No Skills or Experience Needed
This is a tricky one as there may be positions available in your home country that do not require formal training or qualification but in the case of finding a job in Canada as a foreign worker, the chances are slim to none if you do not have some form of education or work experience. One of the few exceptions being the Working Holiday Visa under the IEC (International Experience Canada) Program, which does not require work experience to qualify but let's face it, an experience never hurts.
4. Strange or No Contact Details
If you receive correspondence from a strange or quite commonly used free email account such as Gmail or Yahoo or hotmail.com, tread with caution. A registered recruiter would have a registered email address. Also look out for spelling mistakes, poor grammar, and low-resolution logos or images used in job postings or to recreate official letterheads or documentation. Beware of receiving a job offer for a position that you did not apply for. It is a red flag and a sign that you may be lured into a fraudulent operation.
5. Guaranteeing a Visa
It is important to note that getting a job offer in Canada, real or fake, does not guarantee that you will receive a visa or work permit. In fact, no one other than the Canadian government can approve your Canadian visa application. Any recruitment company, potential employer or Canadian immigration and visa company promising you a visa is up to no good and is maybe guilty of fraud.
Don’t Get Scammed: Use a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Navigating the Canadian immigration system can be a bit tedious, with a copious amount of forms and documents to complete and strict submission dates, we wouldn’t blame you if you felt apathetic about getting started on your application. But that's what we’re here for. At Canadian Visa, we take the stress and hassle out of planning to relocate abroad. Our accredited RCICs (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants) are ready to evaluate your eligibility, review all documentation, and submit all documentation on your behalf. Using an RCIC not only gives you the best possible chance of receiving an ITA but will make the entire process simple and stress-free.
We handle the paperwork while you choose your dream job in Canada. All you have to do is complete our online form and we’ll take care of the rest. It's just that simple.
