CBSA lays 12 charges against two alleged immigration agents in $126,000 international student tuition fraud case

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has laid 12 criminal charges against two alleged immigration agents accused of defrauding international students of nearly $126,000 through a tuition fee scheme.

According to the CBSA, the investigation began in February 2025 after Lambton College provided confidential information alleging that the suspects collected tuition payments from students, issued fraudulent documents, and failed to enroll them in the post-secondary programs they had promised.

Following the seizure and examination of digital evidence, the CBSA said Hardik Dave of Cambridge, Ont., and Jainishkumar Patel were charged on June 2, 2026, with multiple offences, including fraud and forgery-related charges. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Dave is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in London on July 10. The CBSA said 35-year-old Patel has fled Canada, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The case highlights ongoing efforts by Canadian authorities to investigate alleged fraud targeting international students. Court proceedings against Dave are expected to continue, while authorities continue efforts to locate Patel.