Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has warned newcomers and people applying for immigration and citizenship services to keep an eye on more sophisticated scams involving fake government communications, fraudulent job offers and artificial intelligence-generated content.
Scammers are using technology to make fake videos, voices, messages and websites seem convincing, the advisory said.
The warning comes with people of Indian descent from Punjab being targeted by fraudsters who pose as immigration officials. Some of the victims of the fraud were promised employment or immigration-related assistance in exchange for payment or kickbacks, the media said. IRCC has said applicants and newcomers need to check individual details independently before making payments.
One of the main concerns raised by Canadian immigration authorities is that fraudsters are using artificial intelligence to do so. AI tools can be used to create realistic-looking videos, imitate voices and create convincing communications that may seem to come from legitimate government officials.
This content can make it difficult for people to differentiate between genuine and fake government messages.
IRCC has warned newcomers to be especially wary of those who promise jobs, visas or permanent residence in exchange for money. The department has also made clear that applicants are advised to be especially wary of people who will not be asked to deposit money into personal bank accounts or use gift cards and money transfer services to pay immigration fees.
The advisory also warns against threats of arrest, deportation, or immigration status loss due to unpaid fees. Scammers may play the role of government employees and tell victims they have broken immigration rules or failed to fill out paperwork and then demand immediate payments while threatening serious consequences, IRCC said.
But those threats are a warning signal, IRCC said, and it is unlikely that legitimate officials will use them to extract unpaid fees.
Phishing is another major concern for newcomers. Fraudsters will send emails or text messages with links to websites that look like official government websites. These fake websites can be used to steal banking information, passwords and other personal information. IRCC has advised people not to click on suspicious links and to verify the sender and website before providing any information.
Computer virus scams have also been reported, the department also warned people. Scammers may contact a person and falsely say their computer has been infected and then offer technical help and even try to get remote access to the computer. Once access is granted, criminals may be able to see private information, passwords or other sensitive data. IRCC advises people not to provide remote access to someone they did not independently contact for help.
Fake prize and contest messages are another common form of fraud. Scammers may tell recipients they have won a prize even though they never entered a competition.
Authorities warn people not to respond to such messages. Even saying words like “stop” or “no” might be enough to show that a phone number is active - and that’s why it’s so valuable for scammers. Suspicious text messages can be forwarded to 7726 or SPAM to help mobile providers identify and block similar messages.
Tax fraud is also among the scams that can target newcomers. Fraudsters may impersonate government representatives and use official-sounding language to convince victims that they owe money or need to provide financial information. Newcomers are therefore advised to verify requests on their own instead of using contact details or links provided in unsolicited messages.
IRCC has also reminded immigration applicants that processing fees are standardized and that official payments should be made through government channels. Applicants should be wary of anyone asking for unusual payment methods or directing them to personal accounts.
Another important warning is email addresses. IRCC officials do not use free email services such as Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo Mail to contact applicants, the advisory says. People who receive suspicious immigration-related emails should verify the communication through official Canadian government channels instead of responding directly.
As AI-powered fraud becomes more sophisticated, newcomers are encouraged to rely on verification rather than appearance. A convincing voice, realistic video, familiar-looking website or apparently official phone number doesn’t necessarily mean a message is genuine. It is important to take the time to verify information through official channels to prevent financial losses and the theft of sensitive personal information.
The most important message from Canadian immigration authorities to applicants and newcomers is to be careful, never pay for information under pressure and never share sensitive information unless they know who is asking for it. Fraudulent immigration schemes can take advantage of the uncertainty and urgency associated with moving to a new country, making awareness and verification critical safeguards against scams.
