Immigration fraud charges have been laid against a 55-year-old Etobicoke man accused of presenting himself as a lawyer and legal expert while offering help with Canadian work permit and permanent residence applications.
Halton Regional Police Service identified the accused as Kishorbhai Patel, also known as Kishor Patel.
He faces one count of fraud over $5,000.
Police said the charge follows an investigation into services allegedly offered to multiple clients between October 2025 and January 2026.
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Immigration Fraud: What police allege
Investigators allege that several people contacted Patel for assistance with work permit and permanent residence applications during that period.
Police said the clients made several payments for his services and that Patel represented himself as a lawyer and legal expert.
According to investigators, he operated under the names ProLaw Canada Corporation LLP and Canadian International Business Corporation.
Police said they confirmed that Patel is not licensed to practise law.
The allegations have not been tested in court.
Patel is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Why the charge matters for immigration applicants
Immigration applications often involve large fees, confidential identity documents and strict deadlines.
Applicants can face serious financial and legal consequences if they rely on someone who is not authorized to provide the service being advertised.
A person who gives paid immigration advice in Canada must generally be authorized as a lawyer, paralegal in Ontario, or licensed immigration consultant, depending on the service and jurisdiction.
Applicants should independently confirm a representative’s licence before signing a contract or sending money, as explained in this immigration fraud guidance.
A business name, social-media page or professional-looking website does not prove that a person is authorized to practise.
How applicants can check an immigration representative
- Verify lawyers and paralegals through the relevant provincial law society.
- Verify immigration consultants through the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.
- Ask for a written retainer or service agreement showing the representative’s full legal name, licence details and fees.
- Be cautious of anyone who guarantees approval, promises special access to government officials or pressures clients to pay immediately.
- Keep copies of contracts, receipts, application forms, messages and identity documents.
Halton police warn in their fraud and scam information that government agencies and police do not demand cryptocurrency payments or ask people to provide sensitive information through unexpected contacts.
Police appeal for possible additional victims
Police are asking anyone with information about the investigation, or anyone who believes they may have been affected, to contact the Halton Regional Police Service Financial Crimes Unit.
People who believe they have been defrauded should also contact their financial institution and report the matter to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Anyone who submitted an immigration application through the accused may wish to obtain independent legal advice about the status of the application and any documents or information that were provided.
What happens next
The criminal case will proceed through the Ontario court system.
A charge is an allegation, not a finding of guilt.
Further court dates and any additional charges will depend on the continuing investigation and decisions by prosecutors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was charged in the alleged immigration fraud case?
Halton police identified the accused as 55-year-old Kishorbhai Patel, also known as Kishor Patel, of Etobicoke.
What is Patel accused of doing?
Police allege that he posed as a lawyer and legal expert while offering help with work permit and permanent residence applications.
What charge does he face?
He faces one count of fraud over $5,000.
How can immigration applicants verify a representative?
Applicants should confirm a lawyer or paralegal through the relevant law society, or an immigration consultant through the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.
What should possible victims do?
They should preserve contracts, receipts and messages, contact their financial institution, report the matter to police and notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Fact-Checked: Key facts were checked against Halton Regional Police Service information and current professional-regulatory guidance for immigration representatives.
Disclaimer: The allegations described in this article have not been proven in court, and the accused is presumed innocent.