Two Charged in Fraud Scheme Targeting International Students

Two people from southwestern Ontario are facing 12 charges for allegedly running an immigration scam that swindled international students out of around $126,000, as reported by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

The charges follow an investigation that began in February 2025 after Lambton College in Sarnia alerted the CBSA.

The CBSA claims that through interviews with victims and a thorough investigation, it was revealed that the accused took money from international students, assuring them it would cover their tuition costs.

However, these students received fake enrollment documents and were never actually registered in any programs, according to the CBSA.

Authorities executed searches at the homes and businesses of the suspects and gathered evidence related to their fraudulent activities from their electronic devices.

Hardik Dave from Cambridge and Jainishkumar Patel, 35, from London have both been charged with four counts of fraud over $5,000, four counts of using forged documents, and four counts of counseling misrepresentation – a violation under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

Numerous Investigations Launched

The CBSA stated that between April 2025 and March 2026, it has initiated 161 criminal investigations into potential violations of the IRPA.

“Canada Border Services Agency investigators are uncovering immigration fraud schemes and gathering evidence to bring offenders to justice,” said Michael Prosia, regional director general for the CBSA Southern Ontario Region.

“In doing so, our officers are upholding the law and protecting vulnerable people from exploitation.”

Dave is set to appear in court in London on July 10. The CBSA believes he has left the country and is currently wanted on an arrest warrant.

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