IRCC Warns Newcomers in Canada About Immigration Scams

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has alerted newcomers in Canada about a surge in immigration scams targeting them. The agency highlights that newcomers are especially susceptible due to their unfamiliarity with Canadian governmental processes.

Among the most common scams are fraudsters impersonating government officials, claiming that newcomers have made errors in their paperwork and demanding immediate payment to avoid deportation. IRCC clarified that it will never threaten deportation over unpaid fees.

Other prevalent scams include phishing messages, computer virus schemes, fake prize alerts, and tax-related fraud, where scammers falsely inform newcomers they can claim benefits for periods before their arrival. IRCC has published a list of actions its employees will never take, such as requesting payments into personal accounts or threatening arrest.

Newcomers are advised to report any suspicious communications to the relevant authorities.