CBSA lays 12 criminal charges in immigration fraud case

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has laid multiple criminal charges after investigating an immigration scheme that defrauded international students of an estimated $126,000.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has laid multiple criminal charges after investigating an immigration scheme that defrauded international students of an estimated $126,000.

The investigation began in February 2025 after the CBSA Intelligence and Enforcement Division received a tip from Lambton College. Investigators interviewed the victims and launched an extensive  investigation. Two individuals are alleged to have taken money from international students by falsely promising the funds would be used to pay their tuition fees. Victims were provided with fraudulent enrollment documents but were not enrolled in the post-secondary programs that had been promised.

CBSA executed two search warrants at the residences and businesses of the accused individuals and collected evidence of the fraudulent scheme from electronic devices. Subsequent warrants were obtained to examine the digital forensic data extracted from those devices. As a result, both individuals were charged on June 2, 2026 with:

Hardik Dave of Cambridge, Ontario, is scheduled to appear in court on July 10, 2026, at the Ontario Court of Justice in London, Ontario. The charges are subject to validation by the court.

Jainishkumar Patel, 35, of London, Ontario, is believed to have fled the country and is wanted on an arrest warrant.