Ottawa's 2023 decision to open its borders to citizens from French-speaking Africa has led to a surge in well-organised scams targeting hopeful immigrants. Authorities warn that the number of victims is steadily increasing.
By 2027, Canada plans to welcome nearly 80,000 new French-speaking residents from Africa, according to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Looking to leave the African continent for a fresh start, Marie decided to fly to Canada with her husband and children.
In 2024, a friend recommended a Facebook page for a specialised agency. The comments under the posts lauded praise on the "consultant".
"So I contacted him, sent him my profile, and he told me it was quite good. That’s how it all started," Marie, not her real name, told RFI.
Exchanges and promises ensued – permanent residency for Marie and her family, the offer of a job.
The consultant promised that everything would be settled within six months – provided she paid.
"He kept insisting on how quickly I needed to send the money. He assured me that the Canadian government was looking for profiles like mine and that the faster I sent the money, the sooner I’d sign the documents and get my permanent residency."
Marie didn’t suspect a thing. She borrowed money from friends and sold her furniture. In total, she paid $15,000 (€12,800) to the scammer.
US envisages adding 25 more African countries to travel ban
Fake documents
According to Nicholas Avramis, a consultant whose company, Beaver Immigration, is based in South Africa and certified by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), scammers operate using different methods.
Some take an initial cash transfer and then vanish into thin air, while others make big promises. Scammers have been located in the capitals of some French-speaking African countries as well as in Toronto.
Fake documents are delivered on time. "Once the money was transferred first in my country, then to Canada, he simply blocked me from all apps," Marie regrets.
Some are "posing as Canadian embassy staff", Avramis says. "They claim the file has entered the system but needs more money to cover processing fees."
He says he alone has received 24 testimonies like Marie’s since the beginning of the year. But he believes the real figure is far greater.
"Victims are embarrassed. They know the process seemed shady, and they realise they might have done something illegal. So why report it to the authorities?," he said.
Marie hasn't dared to file a complaint. Deep in debt, she urges others to be cautious and hasn’t given up hope of one day making it to Canada.
This story was adapted from the original version in French.
