Fraudsters often view international students as vulnerable and easy targets to financially exploit for their own gain – Canada encourages foreign students to be vigilant against immigration fraud.
Especially that Canada’s immigration process can be daunting, that led many immigrants to hire professionals to assist them throughout the immigration process. However, not all “professionals” are legitimate consultants. Some are illegal and are looking to take advantage of foreign students’ inexperience.
Additionally, those that are already in the country as newcomers are still vulnerable to scammers, especially during their housing and job search. Thus, it is important that international students are made aware of the possibility of encountering fraudulent offers while in Canada.
Fraudsters are aware that international students are willing to go the extra mile to achieve success in Canada. Although being willing to do whatever it takes to reach their goals of studying in the country is necessary, this may be counterproductive when capitalized on by scammers.
Importance of Guarding against International Student Fraud
As Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) remind immigrants to guard against fraud through their Fraud Prevention Month, it is time that international students are made aware of how to protect themselves from scammers and fraudsters.
Unfortunately, there are a considerable number of international students in Canada who are to be deported subsequent to being discovered to have received counterfeit post-secondary admissions letters. There are reports that approximately 700 students are embroiled in the altercations due to fraud.
Immigration urged international students to be wary of the various means that fraudsters may employ. Most international students are scammed through different means, through websites, email, phone calls, and social media.
Today, many international students have sought legal advice and counsel in advancing their cases to the federal court – to litigate their removal orders.
These circumstances prove that being victimized by fraud has critical repercussions for an international student’s finances, emotions, and social standing. Magnifying the seriousness of protecting against scams and frauds as an immigrant.
What Types of Fraud International Students Should Be Wary Of?
Fraudsters have dozens of ways to con international students. However, there are types of scams that are commonly used to victimize immigrants and are considered one of the most reported types of fraud in Canada.
Accommodation and Housing
One of the important factors that allow international students to be successful is affordable and comfortable housing. After all, good accommodations are crucial to an individual in a foreign country and are a component that every international student would never compromise with.
Scammers are aware of this, thus they prey on international students by promising them fake accommodation for an amount, stripping them of their finances.
Fake Job Recruiters
Some international students are also scammed through fake job offers. Since Canadian work experience is either a requirement or an advantage for many Canadian immigration streams. Immigrants hope to enter the Canadian workforce, only to fall victim to fake job recruiters.
Phishing Scams
This type of scam ranked in the “top three most reported types of fraud” in Canada throughout 2022. Fraudsters communicate with potential victims to acquire sensitive personal information which can be used to extort victims of money and other valuables. They usually communicate with their victims by email or text during the early stages of their immigration journey.
Ghost consultants
Ghost consultants are individuals disguised as licensed consultants promising to provide immigration services to foreigners planning to immigrate to Canada. They specifically offer immigration services to international students in exchange for a fee and they stop all communication once the fees they require are transferred to them.
How to Avoid Falling Victim to Immigration Fraud?
You are probably concerned about protecting against scams and keeping your legal status in Canada. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to avoid falling victim to fraudsters or scammers.
One of the fastest ways to figure out whether the immigration representative is not a fraud or the employer is legitimate is by taking note if the services that they are offering are overly ideal or “too good to be true”. It is always safe to assume that the services they are offering are illegal.
Furthermore, scammers that use emails or texts pretend to be representatives of legal institutions, such as banks, universities, and colleges. Some even pretend to be representatives from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
It is always important to check and verify the legitimacy of employers, service providers, and immigration representatives, as well as the account and the information provided before sharing personal information or making any payments.
For instance, you can always verify the credibility of an immigration lawyer if they are a member of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, or the Chambre des notaires du Québec.
Most importantly, international students should be partnered with trusted immigration consultants and agencies right from the start of their immigration journey.
Such partners are experts in avoiding fraud and can assist in double-checking the validity of immigration representatives and employers in Canada.
If you want to know more about avoiding immigration fraud as an international student, you can always schedule an online appointment with us. Fill out our easy online application form or contact us at +63 917 555 9027.
