Canadaupdated 1h ago2 min read
Canada Border Services Agency Charges Five Over Immigration Fraud Involving 209 Bangladeshi Nationals
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CBSA charged five individuals in immigration fraud scheme involving 209 Bangladeshi applicants. Scheme submitted 243 temporary resident visa applications across Quebec and Ontario.
One story. Different accounts.
“It said five people were involved, but did not identify the fifth individual.”
“The fifth accused, Md Rakibul Hassan, is reportedly in Bangladesh, and an arrest warrant has been issued for him.”
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CBSA Charges Five
Canada’s border agency charged five individuals over an alleged immigration fraud scheme involving 209 Bangladeshi nationals and 243 temporary resident visa applications submitted across Quebec and Ontario. The Canada Border Services Agency said the network allegedly used false statements and fraudulent documents to obtain temporary resident visas by incorrectly identifying Canadian citizens as hosts for applicants. CBSA said four accused, Rashel Mirza, Mohammed Aminul Islam, Md Mudassar Alam Bhuiyan and Kazi Nafeez Alam, appeared at the Valleyfield courthouse in Quebec on 22 October 2026.
CBSA said the fifth accused, Md Rakibul Hassan, is reportedly in Bangladesh and an arrest warrant has been issued for him. CBSA said investigators focused formal evidence on 79 of the 243 visa applications because they were the most probative.
Searches and Alleged Scheme
CBSA said the investigation began after CBSA officers, accompanied by police and fire department personnel from the town of Mercier, Quebec, conducted a compliance and control check on occupants of a private residence on 3 July 2024. CBSA said the agency opened a criminal investigation in August 2024 after identifying potential violations of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. CBSA said investigators executed four search warrants across Quebec and Ontario on 3 June 2025, collecting documents and computer equipment that linked the five individuals to the alleged scheme.
The CBSA said the accused face charges relating to conspiracy to organise illegal entry into Canada, counselling misrepresentation in immigration applications and counselling violations of the IRPA. The CBSA said it launched 191 criminal investigations into suspected IRPA offences in 2025 and opened a further 55 between 1 January and 30 June 2026.
Public Warnings and Court
Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree warned that those attempting to exploit the country’s immigration system would face serious consequences. Anandasangaree said, "Canada's immigration system is built on integrity, fairness and respect for the law," and he added, "Those who seek to exploit or undermine our system for fraudulent purposes face serious consequences." Eric Lapierre, the CBSA’s regional director general for Quebec, said the investigation demonstrated the agency’s determination to identify and disrupt networks seeking to exploit the immigration system.
CBSA said the charges concern provisions of the act covering the organisation or facilitation of illegal entry, knowingly assisting or encouraging misrepresentation or concealment of material facts, and knowingly assisting or encouraging violations of the law. CBSA urged the public to report suspected immigration fraud through its Border Watch line at 1-888-502-9060 or via its secure online reporting form.
