Man Jailed for Acceptance Letter Scam on Indian Students

Key Takeaways:

Brijesh Mishra provided fake acceptance letters to Indian students aspiring to study in Canada and was sentenced to three years.
Mishra, an unauthorized immigration consultant, collected tuition and visa fees, provided fake documents, causing severe repercussions for students.
Students discovered their fake enrollment upon arriving in Canada, leading to legal challenges and disrupted educational and immigration plans.

What Happened in the Acceptance Letter Scam Against Indian Students?

A significant case of fraud has recently come to light, affecting numerous Indian students aspiring to study in Canada. Brijesh Mishra, the man behind this acceptance letter scam, was sentenced to three years in prison for providing fake acceptance letters to these hopeful students. Mishra pled guilty and his fraudulent activities spanned several years, causing distress and financial losses to many.

Man Jailed for Acceptance Letter Scam on Indian Students

Who is Brijesh Mishra?

Brijesh Mishra, a former immigration consultant, was taken into custody by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in June 2023. Attempting to re-enter Canada after his visitor visa expired, he was arrested at the U.S.-Canada border. Mishra has been in custody at the Fraser Regional Correctional Centre in Maple Ridge since then.

What Did Mishra’s Fraud Entail?

Mishra’s fraudulent activities revolved around his immigration agency, Education Migration Services, which he opened in 2019 in Jalandhar, India. Before starting his own agency, he worked for various other immigration consultants since 2016. However, Mishra was never authorized to offer immigration consultancy services. Only licensed lawyers and consultants are legally permitted to charge fees for such services, but Mishra went ahead regardless.

CBSA linked Mishra to numerous fake university acceptance letters provided to prospective Indian students between 2016 and 2020. Here’s what he did:

He collected university tuition fees and visa fees, usually in cash and often without receipts.
He provided fake admission letters and fraudulent documents included in completed visa packages.
When students arrived in Canada expecting to start their education, they discovered they were not enrolled in any university.
Mishra would then mislead these students into enrolling in another university or waiting for the next semester.

How Were Students Affected?

The consequences for the students were severe. When they arrived in Canada only to find out their acceptance letters were fake, their educational and immigration plans were derailed. Many were left in limbo, unsure whether they could stay in the country or continue their studies.

In March 2023, CBSA identified several students who used Mishra’s fraudulent documents while applying for permanent residency in Canada. Some students were ordered to leave the country, while those who genuinely intended to study in Canada were given three-year temporary resident permits. This allowed them to stay while the CBSA continued its inquiries.

Personal Impact and Legal Ramifications

Mishra’s deception extended beyond his professional realm, impacting his personal life significantly. His family, including his wife and four-year-old son, had to move due to death threats from aggrieved families in Jalandhar. In court, Mishra’s lawyer highlighted the challenges Mishra would face upon his return to India, especially with national warrants issued against him. The Indian Penal Code charges could result in severe punishment ranging from three years to life imprisonment.

During his sentencing, Mishra expressed remorse, stating, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know how bad the consequences would be for my family. I cannot change the past, but I can make sure I don’t do it in the future.”

Justice Susan Sangha’s Verdict

Justice Susan Sangha, who presided over the case, underlined the broader implications of Mishra’s actions. His fraudulent activities could potentially foster increased racism towards the South Asian community in Canada, and they have certainly undermined public trust in the Canadian immigration system.

Sangha acknowledged the additional suffering Mishra’s family would endure and recognized the extensive legal journey Mishra still has to face in India.

What Can Students Do to Protect Themselves from Such Fraud?

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of verifying the credentials of immigration consultants. Aspiring students should take the following steps to protect themselves:

Verify Consultant Credentials: Only work with authorized and licensed immigration consultants or lawyers. Verify their credentials through official channels.
Request Receipts: Always ask for receipts for any payments made and avoid cash transactions where possible.
Check Acceptance Letters: Confirm the validity of acceptance letters directly with the educational institution.
Consult Official Sources: Use official resources like the Government of Canada’s Immigration and Citizenship website for accurate information.

Students should exercise due diligence and consult legitimate resources to prevent becoming victims of fraud. Mishra’s case, though severe, can help others learn the importance of due diligence in their educational and immigration journeys.

By being informed and cautious, students can protect themselves from scams and ensure their dream of studying in Canada becomes a reality.

Learn Today:

Glossary of Immigration Terms

Acceptance Letter:
- A formal document from an educational institution stating that a student has been admitted to a program. In the context of the scam, fake acceptance letters were provided to students, misleading them about their enrollment status.
Immigration Consultant:
- A specialist who advises and assists individuals moving to a new country. Only licensed consultants and lawyers are legally authorized to provide these services. Mishra was not licensed, making his actions illegal.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA):
- A federal agency responsible for border security, including the detention and removal of individuals who break immigration laws. CBSA was instrumental in arresting and investigating Brijesh Mishra’s fraudulent activities.
Permanent Residency:
- The status of a person who is not a citizen but has the right to live and work indefinitely in a country. Some students applied for permanent residency using Mishra’s fraudulent documents, complicating their legal standing in Canada.
Temporary Resident Permit:
- A document issued to individuals allowing them to stay in Canada on a temporary basis. Some students affected by the scam were given these permits while their cases were investigated.

This Article In A Nutshell:

Brijesh Mishra orchestrated an acceptance letter scam, defrauding Indian students seeking to study in Canada. By issuing fake university letters, he caused severe disruption in their plans. Mishra was sentenced to three years in prison, highlighting the importance of verifying immigration consultants’ credentials to avoid such scams.
— By VisaVerge.com

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