Indian Agent: An Indian immigration agent involved in a fraudulent scheme targeting students seeking Canadian visas has been sentenced to three years in jail after pleading guilty in a Vancouver court.
Brijesh Mishra, aged 37, was apprehended following an investigation by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), which linked him to numerous forged acceptance letters from Canadian colleges and universities issued to prospective Indian students between 2016 and 2020.
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Mishra admitted guilt to three charges under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, including misrepresentation and dissemination of false information.
His arrest in Surrey, British Columbia, occurred in June 2023 while he was in Canada on an expired tourist visa.
During sentencing, both prosecution and defence lawyers jointly recommended a three-year prison term, which the judge deemed appropriate.
Upon completing his sentence in Canada, Mishra is slated for deportation to India, where he faces additional criminal charges, notably for human smuggling, carrying a potential death penalty.
According to reports, Mishra’s victims were typically aspiring students from modest backgrounds in Punjab, India, eager to pursue education in Canada.
They were referred to Mishra by acquaintances and entrusted him with their passport details, academic transcripts, and English proficiency scores. Mishra orchestrated their applications to multiple institutions without their direct involvement in the process.
This case highlights the vulnerability of prospective international students and underscores the severe consequences of immigration fraud.
Authorities stress the importance of verifying credentials through legitimate channels to prevent exploitation in similar schemes.
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