Immigration fraud charges have been laid against five people after a Canada Border Services Agency investigation identified an alleged scheme involving 209 Bangladeshi nationals and 243 temporary resident visa applications.
Four of the accused appeared at the Valleyfield courthouse in Quebec on October 22, 2026, while a fifth person is believed to be in Bangladesh and is the subject of an arrest warrant.
Table of Contents
What the CBSA investigation found
The CBSA named Rashel Mirza and Mohammed Aminul Islam of Montreal, Md Mudassar Alam Bhuiyan of Toronto, and Kazi Nafeez Alam as people who appeared in court.
The agency identified Md Rakibul Hassan as the fifth accused and said he is currently believed to be in Bangladesh.
According to the CBSA, the investigation began after a compliance and control operation at a private residence in Mercier on July 3, 2024.
The operation involved CBSA officers as well as representatives from the Town of Mercier police and fire departments.
Officials said they observed indications that the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act may not have been followed and opened an investigation in August 2024.
Investigators later determined that 243 temporary resident visa applications had been submitted for 209 Bangladeshi nationals.
The applications were allegedly prepared for visits involving Canadian citizens who were presented as hosts.
The CBSA said the alleged scheme relied on fraudulent documents and false statements to help the foreign nationals obtain temporary resident visas.
Searches and charges
CBSA investigators executed four search warrants in Quebec and Ontario on June 3, 2025.
The agency said documents and computer equipment seized during those searches pointed to the involvement of five people.
Because of the size and complexity of the investigation, officials focused their review on 79 of the most significant temporary resident visa applications.
The accused face three types of charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
- Conspiracy to organize or facilitate the coming into Canada of one or more people.
- Knowingly inducing, aiding or abetting misrepresentation or the concealment of material facts in immigration applications.
- Knowingly inducing, aiding or abetting people to contravene the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
The CBSA stated that the charges remain subject to validation by the court.
The allegations have not been proven, and the accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
What could happen next
The court process will determine whether the charges proceed and what evidence can be considered against each accused.
The arrest warrant for Hassan will remain an important part of the case because the CBSA says he is outside Canada.
Immigration applications connected to suspected misrepresentation may also face administrative review separate from the criminal proceedings.
Canadian immigration authorities can refuse applications when material information is false or withheld.
Depending on the circumstances, people found inadmissible because of misrepresentation can face serious immigration consequences, including removal or a ban on travelling to Canada for up to 10 years.
The consequences for individual applicants will depend on the evidence, their role in the applications, and any findings made by immigration officials or the courts.
CBSA immigration enforcement in context
The CBSA said it opened 191 criminal investigations into suspected Immigration and Refugee Protection Act offences during 2025.
The agency opened another 55 suspected IRPA investigations between January 1 and June 30, 2026.
Those investigations can involve people who organize or facilitate unauthorized entry, provide false information, operate without proper authorization, or otherwise help applicants breach Canadian immigration law.
The agency said immigration violations can lead to criminal charges, fines, probation, imprisonment and a criminal record.
The scale of the current case does not mean that all 209 foreign nationals identified by investigators will face criminal charges.
The CBSA announcement described the 209 people as individuals connected to the visa applications, while the criminal charges were directed at the alleged organizers and facilitators.
How to report suspected immigration fraud
People who suspect false documents, unauthorized immigration services or other violations can report concerns directly to the CBSA.
The agency’s Border Watch line can be reached at 1-888-502-9060 from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
Reports can also be submitted through the CBSA’s secure online reporting system.
The CBSA says information provided through its reporting process is confidential and that people do not have to provide their names.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were charged in the alleged immigration fraud scheme?
Five people were identified by the CBSA as accused in the alleged scheme, with four appearing at the Valleyfield courthouse and one believed to be in Bangladesh.
How many visa applications were involved?
The CBSA identified 243 temporary resident visa applications submitted for 209 Bangladeshi nationals.
What documents or conduct are alleged?
The CBSA alleges that fraudulent documents and false statements were used to help applicants obtain temporary resident visas.
Have the charges been proven in court?
No. The charges are subject to court validation, and the allegations have not been proven.
How can suspected immigration fraud be reported?
Suspected immigration fraud can be reported to the CBSA through its Border Watch line at 1-888-502-9060 or through the agency’s secure online reporting system.
Fact-Checked: Key names, dates, figures, allegations and reporting details were checked against the Canada Border Services Agency’s October 22, 2026 news release and official immigration guidance.
Disclaimer: This article describes allegations and court proceedings, not proven criminal conduct.