Canada Focuses on Identifying Culprits in International Student Fraud Case

Minister Assures Support for Fraud Victims

Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, expressed the government’s commitment to supporting victims of fraud while investigating fraudulent documentation used by agents in India to obtain study permits for international students. He recognized the significant contributions international students make to the country.

Focus on Identifying Culprits, Not Penalizing Victims

Minister Fraser emphasized that the government’s focus is on identifying the culprits responsible for the fraudulent acceptance letters rather than penalizing the victims. The victims will have the opportunity to demonstrate their situation and present evidence to support their case, indicating that they will not face immediate penalties.

Concerns and Challenges Faced by Victims

Students impacted by the fake documentation expressed concerns about their situation, stating that they have faced victimization from multiple parties involved in the process. They highlighted the agents in India, institutions in Canada that used them for profit, and businesses that exploited them for cheap labor. Some students have received removal orders from the Canadian Border Services Agency and face deportation.

Efforts to Verify Acceptance Letters and Support Students

In response to the fraudulent cases, Minister Fraser mentioned that the government is working closely with institutions to verify the validity of acceptance letters at the time of application. The aim is to prevent similar incidents in the future and provide support to affected students.