Two Men Charged with 24 Offences Total in Alleged Ontario Immigration Fraud Case

The Canada Border Services Agency has charged two men in southwestern Ontario with 12 criminal offences each over an alleged scheme that defrauded international students of approximately $126,000. Cbc reported that the investigation opened in February 2025 after the CBSA Intelligence and Enforcement Division received a tip from Lambton College in Sarnia.

Following interviews with victims and an extensive probe, authorities allege the men collected money from students by promising to pay tuition fees, then supplied fraudulent enrollment documents while never enrolling the students in any programs.

Hardik Dave of Cambridge and Jainishkumar Patel, 35, of London each face four counts of fraud over $5,000, four counts of uttering forged documents and four counts of counselling misrepresentation under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Officers searched the accused men's homes and businesses and seized evidence from their devices. Dave is scheduled to appear in London court on July 10.

The CBSA believes Patel has fled the country and he remains wanted on an arrest warrant. Between April 2025 and March 2026 the agency opened 161 criminal investigations into suspected IRPA offences. Michael Prosia, Regional Director General for the CBSA Southern Ontario Region, said investigators are uncovering immigration fraud schemes and gathering evidence to bring offenders to justice while upholding the law and protecting vulnerable people from exploitation.