News / National
Fake Canadian immigration scams targeting Zimbabweans
19 May 2019 at 12:31hrs | Views
Beaver Immigration Consulting is warning Zimbabwean national to be aware of an online hoax that claims Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is "begging" African leaders, from Nigeria, Kenya and Zimbabwe for one million new immigrants from each of these countries. The hoax is part of an elaborate scam that is defrauding thousands of dollars (USD) from some of the most vulnerable people on the continent.
Fake news stories continue to appear online and are being shared on Facebook and Twitter that Canada has created "a new Employment and Migration Programme designed for immigrants" from Nigeria, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
The posts, which have been shared over 3,000 times on Facebook and Twitter have been declared as fraudulent by several Canadian High Commissions in Africa. The "one million" figure had been drawn from the announcement by the Government of Canada that is will add one million new permanent residents by the end of 2021.
"We continue to receive message from victims of this elaborate scam," said Nicholas Avramis, a licensed Canadian immigration consultant based out of Cape Town, South Africa.
"This is a serious problem on the continent. Fraudsters either use fake news stories or contact victims directly offering to secure both employment and work visa permits for Canada. People are being scammed out of thousands in dollars."
Mr. Avramis states that the Canadian government only allows licensed consultants, known as Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC's), who are in good standing with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), which is the government's regulatory body, to advise and complete visa application on behalf of clients for a fee.
"If an individual or some group offers you immigration services to Canada for a fee it is important that they have a license and can be found on the ICCRC's website. They also must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada."
Fake news stories continue to appear online and are being shared on Facebook and Twitter that Canada has created "a new Employment and Migration Programme designed for immigrants" from Nigeria, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
The posts, which have been shared over 3,000 times on Facebook and Twitter have been declared as fraudulent by several Canadian High Commissions in Africa. The "one million" figure had been drawn from the announcement by the Government of Canada that is will add one million new permanent residents by the end of 2021.
"This is a serious problem on the continent. Fraudsters either use fake news stories or contact victims directly offering to secure both employment and work visa permits for Canada. People are being scammed out of thousands in dollars."
Mr. Avramis states that the Canadian government only allows licensed consultants, known as Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC's), who are in good standing with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), which is the government's regulatory body, to advise and complete visa application on behalf of clients for a fee.
"If an individual or some group offers you immigration services to Canada for a fee it is important that they have a license and can be found on the ICCRC's website. They also must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada."
Source - Agencies
