Two individuals in southwestern Ontario face 12 charges related to an alleged immigration scheme that involved defrauding international students of approximately $126,000, according to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
The charges stem from an investigation dating back to February 2025, when the CBSA Intelligence and Enforcement Division received a tip from Lambton College in Sarnia.
The CBSA alleges that, following interviews with the victims and an “extensive investigation,” the two accused took money from international students, promising them that it would be used to pay their tuition fees.
The students were then given fraudulent enrolment documents, but were not actually enrolled in any programs, the CBSA said.
Authorities searched the homes and businesses of the accused and collected evidence of the scheme from their devices.
Hardik Dave of Cambridge and Jainishkumar Patel, 35, of London, have both been charged with four counts of fraud over $5,000, four counts of uttering forged documents and four counts of counselling misrepresentation — an offence under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
The CBSA said that between April 2025 and March 2026, it has opened 161 criminal investigations into suspected offences under 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 scheduled to appear in London court on July 10. The CBSA believes has fled the country and he’s now wanted on an arrest warrant.
