CBSA also charges several families for simulating their presence in Canada
Today, Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) investigators arrested Rafic Mansour and Meryem El-Hassani, as part of an immigration fraud investigation. These two individuals and the company Méthode & Systèmes de données, Figures inc., “MSD Figures”, were charged at the Montréal Courthouse with many counts under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Criminal Codefor infractions that were committed from 2002 until now.
The CBSA investigation found that a number of clients of MSD Figures, where Mansour and El-Hassani worked, succeeded in fraudulently maintaining permanent residence status in Canada or obtaining Canadian citizenship.
MSD Figures, Mansour and El-Hassani are alleged to have induced, aided or abetted over 20 families to misrepresent themselves in administrative requests related to immigration, citizenship, passports and income tax. They are also charged with acting as immigration representatives for a fee without being authorized.
Charges have already been laid against members of three families in connection with this case. In addition, three persons have been sentenced to fines of between $7,000 and $20,000 and/or prison terms of 30 to 70 days.
On April 2, 2014, 10 families who were clients of MSD Figures were charged with making misrepresentations contrary to the IRPA, theCitizenship Act and the Criminal Code.
Quick facts
- IRPA offences that CBSA criminal investigators frequently investigate and prosecute include immigration consultant fraud, marriages of convenience and employing foreign nationals without authorization. Other IRPA offences include possessing and using false identity documents, residency fraud and misrepresentation.
- Section 126 of the IRPA provides for a maximum sentence of five years and/or $100,000 for counselling or aiding any person to make misrepresentations. In addition, paragraph 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code provides for a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison for fraud over $5,000.
Quote
“Immigration fraud is a criminal offence in Canada. Crooked consultants pose a challenge to the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. The CBSA is taking action to combat this fraud, and to identify, investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.”
- Benoît Chiquette, CBSA Director General, Quebec Region
Associated links
Contacts
Media Relations, Quebec Region
Canada Border Services Agency
514-350-6130