The UPAC is investigating networks of fraudsters linked to immigration to African students

Radio-Canada has learned that the Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) has been investigating for. For example, two months on malicious organizations that have orchestrated the arrival of African students in the country. Furthermore, These crooks have defrauded the state and pushed temporary immigrants to make asylum requests. Therefore,

According to our sources. Similarly, the criminal investigation was triggered following the revelations of Radio-Canada on illegal networks which used different fraudulent schemes by targeting in particular the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi (UQAC).

“This is good news that theUpac Plurges the networks of fraudsters that affect not only the victims. Furthermore, but also the reputation of our institutions. However, If necessary. Meanwhile, we will collaborate so that this kind of fraudulent practices ceases, “said the director upac investigating networks fraudsters linked of communications and public relations of theUQACMarie-France Audet.

In a series of survey reports since April. Nevertheless, Radio-Canada has revealed how scammers have upac investigating networks fraudsters linked fooled by African students, Canadian universities and even the governments of Quebec and Canada, thanks to falsified diplomas, counterfeit acceptance letters, rigged bank proofs and false scholarships.

Sell the “Canadian dream” – Upac investigating networks fraudsters linked

Canadian dream is a lucrative market in Africa. Therefore, Dozens of unscrupulous immigration agencies and consultants make a fortune by promising students to easily enter the country.

Victims of these fraudsters were extracted thousands of dollars to finally discover. For example, once in Canadian soil, that their admission to the university was bogus. Nevertheless, Several live in hiding and hope to be able to regularize their situation.

However. Meanwhile, other nationals also use the services of these illicit organizations to knowingly pass between the meshes of the net. The scammers encourage young people to emigrate to Canada thanks to a study permit and then claim a refugee status.

These fraudulent maneuvers. which use schools as an immigration springboard, partly explain why the number of asylum applications has exploded in Quebec since 2020. Almost 12,000 students have requested refugee status in five years.

L’UQACthe University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières (UQTR). the Ellis college upac investigating networks fraudsters linked of the Trois-Rivières campus are also at the top of educational establishments in this chapter, a situation that worries the University of Quebec.

The CEGEPs also suffered from the recruitment of African students by malicious agencies. In some cases. the distress of the blurred cégépians was such that they were forced to return to the fold for lack of financial means.

L’Upac well. -how to fraud schemes

L’Upac does not give any information concerning the holding of a criminal investigation. However. she claims to be well aware of fraud schemes as well as the production and use of false documents targeting both foreign students and Quebec higher education establishments.

“Anyone who produces. uses false documents in order to like the state can face criminal accusations,” said the spokesperson for the commissioner for the fight against corruption, Mathieu Galarneau.

L’Upac Increase anyone victim of such a stratagem to fill out the denunciation form available on his website (new window) Or to contact his investigators at 1-844-541-UPAC.

Efforts remain to be made

Mathieu Galarneau underlines that there is a lot of prevention efforts. in the public sector.

“We invite any public organization to get in touch with us to obtain awareness tools for corruption. fraud, so as to upac investigating networks fraudsters linked identify problematic situations and to denounce them quickly. When we note that a public organization presents flaws where possible fraudsters. corrupters could enter, we can issue recommendations on any measure to promote prevention and the fight against corruption. »»

Remember that theUQAC The selection of international customers was shown in the selection of laxity. Sources have indicated on Radio-Canada that it was a “colander”. that the establishment was blinded by the bait of the gain, which would have made it more vulnerable.

To date. the University also receives passports from abroad which could be linked to identity fraud networks, according to our information.

A former student of theUQAC in sight

Our sources indicate that a former student of theUQAC Originally from Benin who presented himself as an immigration consultant is targeted by the investigation of theUpac.

The scammer. who upac investigating networks fraudsters linked operated on both in Africa and Canada, would have falsified university documents to make his customers believe that they are legitimizing. He would also have provided false diplomas. banking evidence to the authorities, which suggests that accomplices would be involved in his overseas maneuvers. WhenUQAC understood her ploy in late 2023, she expelled it.

This crook still lives with impunity in Quebec. We have tried to join him several times. During a brief interview with CBChe denied everything. Since then, his phone numbers have not been in service and he has blocked our messages on social networks.

The man would have made several victims. including Aminata and Fatim (fictitious names) who had to resolve to live in illegality in Montreal and Saguenay, rather than studying at university.

The Beninese are relieved that the authorities finally want to wedge the craftsman with their misfortune. They intend to fully collaborate with theUpac so that it is arrested and brought upac investigating networks fraudsters linked to justice.

It is the glimmer of hope that I expected.. There should be no more victims.

Aminata. who had complained to the police, to the provincial and federal immigration ministries as well as at the Antifraude Center in Canada, said finally to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

But after months to hide. fear being deported, Fatim has just taken a return flight for Benin. She couldn’t get this untenable situation anymore. but she still wants to do everything to “prevent this pseudo-consultant from hurting someone else”.