Scams Against New Immigrants in Canada: Very Frequent
Scams against new immigrants in Canada are more frequent than we think; cases are increasing due to the fact that this country is quite stable to live in.
Some studies estimate that new immigrants to Canada are more likely to be scammed, largely due to a lack of knowledge of the laws.
According to a study, new immigrants in Canada are victims of scams in social networks (49%), labor (46%), immigration procedures (22%).
In 2023, Mexican migrants denounced networks of scammers posing as supposed recruiters who lure them with the illusion of obtaining work in Canada and then turn them into “modern slaves”.
Under that scheme, they exploit them and have them crammed into housing that they share with up to 15 people.
“The whole thing is a fraud: they charge you 600 Canadian dollars a month for rent and demand another 5,000 dollars with the argument that they are processing your refugee status in Canada,” Kevin, a Mexican who was deported from Ottawa to Cancun, told EFE.
Scams to new immigrants in Canada are a reality for many foreigners seeking to settle in another country, for this reason, it is important to take measures to protect themselves and ensure a legal and satisfactory immigration process.
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Scams Against New Immigrants in Canada: Very Frequent
But scams in Canada are more common than we think, in fact, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre estimates that Canadians lost $567 million dollars to fraud.
As for the need to have legal status as a migrant in Canada, scams against new immigrants are on the rise, so you should take action.
If you or someone you know is a citizen with a high profile to migrate to Canada, then you should be aware of the risks of falling victim to scams.
As such, immigrants to Canada should consider:
1. Research the immigration process and requirements.
It is important to educate yourself about the requirements before applying.
This may include researching official government websites, reading about the different immigration programs available, and seeking advice from licensed immigration consultants or lawyers.
2. Be wary of unsolicited offers:
Beware of unsolicited offers of immigration services or job opportunities, especially those that require you to pay a large amount of money up front. Scammers may use these offers to obtain your personal information or money.
3. Check the credentials of immigration consultants or lawyers:
If you decide to work with an immigration consultant or lawyer, make sure they are authorized to provide immigration services in Canada.
Scams against new immigrants to Canada are most common in this area.
You can verify their credentials by checking with the regulatory body that oversees immigration consultants or the provincial bar association.
Nowadays, there are also many scammers who use the name of the regulated consultant and their license number to pretend to be them. Therefore, check very carefully who you are dealing with. Verify your immigration consultant.
4. Use official government websites:
When submitting immigration applications or seeking information about immigration programs, always verify that the website is Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and display the security lock on the link.
Remember that scammers can create fake websites that look very similar to government websites. Look for spelling or consistency errors in the text, compare the logo of the page with the official logo, do not open suspicious links that arrive in your mail if you have not requested them, among others. If you are not attentive to these signs, you can be deceived and give them access to your personal information or your money.
