Becoming Canadian: Combating immigration fraud

This video is also available in HD on YouTube where you can leave a comment, share it on your social network or embed it into your site.

Available also in Arabic.

Transcript: “Becoming Canadian: Combating immigration fraud”

Video length: 2:30 minutes

(Graphic)
Combating Immigration Fraud

(Voice Over)
Canada is the destination of choice for a quarter of a million people each year seeking a new home. They’re attracted to our strong democracy and stable government.

(Voice Over)
Unfortunately, some newcomers are victims of scams – duped by immigration fraud artists. Irma Luque, Ricardo Miranda and their son Christian left Chile a dozen years ago for a new life in Canada. They now live in Toronto as permanent residents, but achieving that status was very hard. They put their faith in a Canadian Consultant who offered them work and visas. This consultant charged the family five thousand dollars U.S and kept them waiting for years – yet he delivered no results.

(Graphic)
Ricardo Miranda
Immigration Scam Victim

(Voice Clip)
“I feel bad. I can say nothing. Because maybe this guy call the police or call immigration. I don’t know. I’m scared about my family.”

(Graphic)
Robin Seligman
Certified Immigration Lawyer

(Voice Clip)
“They just want to make a buck and at the end of the day people have to understand they will lie, they will do whatever they have to get their money.”

(Voice Over)
There are lots of scams. Ads in publications from around the world offer jobs and settlement in Canada – for fees reaching into the thousands of dollars. Crudely constructed letters -- note the starfish background – claim to represent the Government of Canada.

(Voice Over)
Many deceptive internet sites promise visas and employment at very high cost – one features a Wooly Mammoth – not exactly a Canadian symbol.

(Voice Over)
Citizenship and Immigration Canada provides free advice and visa application forms on its Website.

(Graphic)
Anne Arnott
Director General International Region

(Voice Clip)
“In fact, you cannot lie on your application and still go to Canada. You won’t be going anywhere. Or if we find out there is a lie and you do end up in Canada we will take steps to remove you.”

(Voice Over)
For more information on protection from immigration fraud go to cic.gc.ca.

A message from the Government of Canada.

Features