Jul 19, 2026
After a year-long investigation, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has laid multiple criminal charges against two Ontario men for defrauding international students of approximately $126,000.
It all started in February of last year, when the agency received a tip from Lambton College. Following the tip, the CBSA interviewed victims and began an investigation revealing a detailed fraud operation. Two individuals were alleged to have taken money from international students, promising that the funds would be used to pay tuition fees, which allegedly never happened. The students who used the service received fraudulent enrolment documents — and were never actually admitted into their preferred post-secondary education programs.
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Following the investigation, the CBSA carried out two search warrants at the accused residences and collected various forms of evidence of the ploy from electronic devices.
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As a result of the search warrants and investigation, Hardik Dave of Cambridge and Jainishkumar Patel of London were charged under the Criminal Code with multiple offences on June 2, 2026.
Hardik Dave is scheduled to appear before the court on July 10, 2026. However, Jainishkumar Patel is believed to have left the country. A warrant is out for his arrest as of the time of writing.
“Canada Border Services Agency investigators are uncovering immigration fraud schemes and gathering evidence to bring offenders to justice. In doing so, our officers are upholding the law and protecting vulnerable people from exploitation,” Michael Prosia, regional director general of CBSA Southern Ontario Region, noted in the release.
How and why international students are targeted
International students planning to study in Canada can be targets for scammers who exploit their unfamiliarity with the Canadian immigration system. This cohort often faces significant financial pressure while adapting to life in Canada, making promises of discounted tuition or high-paying jobs particularly appealing.
For example, in 2025, Regina police issued a warning regarding a tuition scam making the rounds. Police investigations found that bad actors were falsely promising a discount on tuition fees by pretending to be intermediaries between students and universities. After taking an upfront payment, fraudsters allegedly “pay” the tuition fees and disappear.
At the time the warning was issued, 23 individuals were affected and over $125,000 was stolen.
Fraudsters are not simply offering a deal as their scheme — some are using convincing websites and ads, while also tampering with legitimate university documentation to fool students.
In 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uncovered 1,550 permit applications that were based on fake student acceptance letters. According to University Affairs, some of the letters were real but tampered with, while others were from completely fictional institutions.
Additionally, according to The Globe and Mail, the RCMP has seen criminals coerce international students to open bank accounts in Canada, and then use the new accounts to move illegally obtained funds.
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“Students are often targets for money mule recruitment,” RCMP spokesperson Robin Percival told the outlet.
Newcomers to Canada may qualify for National Bank’s offer for newcomers, which includes a bank account with no fixed monthly fees for up to 3 years. Explore the offer and see if you are eligible.
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A note about representatives
According to the IRCC, international students can apply for a study permit by themselves or with a representative who may be paid for their services. While a representative can be an asset for newcomers to Canada, it’s important to understand the rules surrounding the profession. Some student fraud attacks have come from individuals or organizations posing as legitimate representatives.
In Canada, there are two types of representatives: paid and unpaid. Paid representatives are highly regulated and must be authorized to assist with study permit applications under the relevant governing body. Paid representatives include lawyers, Ontario paralegals, Quebec notaries and consultants registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. To check if a consultant or other professional is authorized to assist with a study permit, review the IRCC’s website.
Furthermore, the representatives must be declared on the application form regardless of whether they are paid for their services.
Remember that it is illegal for someone to charge fees and submit study permit applications for someone else if they are not authorized by a relevant governing body in Canada.
How international students can protect themselves
Studying abroad can be an exciting time, but it can also be an extremely vulnerable experience. Moving to a new country, learning a new language and trying to understand often complex university application rules can be overwhelming. Scammers know this and may try to take advantage of it. Here are some tips to help you spot warning signs of student scams before it’s too late.
- Watch for promises and guarantees. Applying for scholarships in Canada is often free and it is not guaranteed that an applicant will receive one. Any individuals promising otherwise should be marked as suspicious.
- Never sign blank documents or forms. Signing a blank student application form makes it easy for scammers to forge documentation — don’t do it.
- Pay attention to where your tuition fees go. Be extremely wary of any practitioners who offer discounted tuition fees if you pay them as an intermediary. According to the IRCC, tuition fees should always be paid directly to the institution applied for.
- Make sure a contract is in place. Before going ahead with an application, ensure a written contract is in place that outlines the application service fees and the services paid for. Get a receipt for every payment made to the representative.
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Brett Surbey is a corporate paralegal with KMSC Law LLP and freelance writer who has written for Yahoo Finance Canada, Success Magazine, Publishers Weekly, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes Advisor and multiple academic journals. He and his family live in northern Alberta, Canada.
