Canada Raises Alarm Over Fake Visa Lottery, Warns Applicants Against Scammers
Canada has warned prospective immigrants and visa applicants against fraudsters offering fake immigration lotteries, special selection programmes and guaranteed visa approvals.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in a public advisory issued on Saturday, said there was no lottery, shortcut or secret programme capable of guaranteeing anyone selection to immigrate to Canada.
The department also warned that no individual or organisation could guarantee faster processing, priority treatment or approval of an immigration application.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” IRCC stated.
The Canadian immigration authorities urged applicants to take precautions when seeking information or processing applications.
According to IRCC, prospective applicants should obtain information about immigration programmes only from official Government of Canada sources and be wary of anyone demanding money in exchange for guaranteed immigration results.
The department also advised applicants not to make payments or disclose personal information except through official IRCC platforms.
IRCC said scammers frequently use social media platforms, emails and telephone calls to target unsuspecting applicants with false claims of special immigration programmes, expedited processing and guaranteed approvals.
“Only authorized IRCC officers can decide immigration applications, and decisions are based solely on eligibility criteria,” the department said.
The Canadian authorities urged applicants to verify immigration information through the official Canada.ca website and report suspicious offers to the appropriate authorities.
The warning comes amid growing interest in Canadian immigration among Nigerians and other prospective migrants, making applicants vulnerable to individuals and organisations seeking to exploit the demand for visas and immigration opportunities.
IRCC therefore advised prospective immigrants to exercise caution and rely on official government channels when seeking information or submitting applications.
