Krishan Jogia sought help from an immigration consultancy upon arriving in Toronto in 2023. However, he later discovered that the consultancy, Canada Global Migration Consultants (GMC), was operating illegally in Canada despite portraying a professional image online.
Despite initially obtaining a Canadian visitor visa for his wife through GMC, they faced challenges when applying for her spousal visa. Jogia described GMC as polished and professional on the surface, with an impressive online presence on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. However, their experience took a turn when their consultant suddenly disappeared in early 2024, leaving them in the dark for months.
After persistent efforts to seek a refund from GMC, Jogia and his wife encountered unresponsiveness from the consultancy. It was revealed that the consultant who left GMC cited unethical practices as the reason for their departure. GMC was not listed as a permitted consultancy in Canada, which goes against regulatory requirements set by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
Despite paying around $12,000 to GMC, the couple faced difficulties in resolving their issues with the company. They lodged a complaint with the CICC, but even reaching out to other authorities like the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Better Business Bureau did not yield a solution.
The use of immigration consultants over lawyers by newcomers is common due to affordability, as highlighted by experts. However, there are growing concerns about the lack of regulation and enforcement surrounding consultants and lawyers in the immigration industry. Ghost consultants, unlicensed individuals posing as legitimate consultants, present a significant risk to newcomers seeking immigration assistance.
A survey conducted in November 2024 revealed that 33% of newcomers used consultants, while only 16% opted for lawyers. The majority of respondents expressed a need for better regulation of consultants and lawyers in Canada.
Canada GMC, purportedly owned by Media Bubble in Israel, operates through WorldMigration Unipessoal LDA, a company based in Portugal that also operates similar businesses in the UK and Australia. Similar cases of fraudulent practices involving GMC have been reported, indicating a broader issue within the industry.
The prevalence of ghost consultants, like H&S Immigration in Windsor, Ontario, has raised concerns among experts. These unlicensed consultants exploit vulnerable newcomers by offering false promises and pathways to permanent residency, ultimately leading to financial losses and legal complications.
Licensed consultants emphasize the importance of education and awareness to protect newcomers from falling prey to fraudulent practices. The shortage of immigration lawyers in certain regions further exacerbates the problem, allowing fraudulent consultants to take advantage of gaps in legal representation.
Efforts are being made to address the issue of fake consultants, with the CICC receiving reports of unauthorized practitioners. However, the lack of legal recourse for victims of scams remains a significant challenge, as victims fear deportation if they take legal action against fraudulent consultants.
The issue of ghost consultants underscores the need for stricter regulations and enforcement in the immigration consultancy industry to safeguard newcomers from exploitation and fraudulent practices.
