Key Takeaways
• A Ukrainian couple lost $3,000 when their Canadian immigration lawyer stopped responding after payment.
• Authorities warn immigrants to verify legal credentials and report suspected fraud to protect themselves.
• Law societies and CICC monitor, discipline, and publish alerts on unlicensed or unethical immigration service providers.
A Ukrainian couple says they paid a lawyer $3,000 for help with their immigration status in Canada 🇨🇦, only for the lawyer to “disappear” and stop answering their calls and messages. This story shines a light on a problem that many newcomers face: losing hard-earned money to untrustworthy legal helpers when trying to stay in Canada 🇨🇦. Others have also reported problems with some people pretending to help, or with lawyers who just stop responding after getting paid. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this happens more than people might think, and it can cause a lot of stress for affected families.
This article will explore why incidents like this happen, what protections are in place, what steps people can take if they find themselves in a similar spot, and how Canada 🇨🇦 is working to keep immigrants safe from bad actors in the legal field. We’ll also talk about the larger impact these stories have on the entire immigration process.
Ukrainian Couple’s Experience Highlights a Worrying Trend
The Ukrainian couple at the center of this story wanted to build a safe life in Canada 🇨🇦. Needing help with legal paperwork for their immigration status, they paid $3,000 to a lawyer, expecting the professional support that legal experts promise. After taking the money, the lawyer stopped answering calls, emails, and messages. The couple had no idea where to turn next. Their fear wasn’t just about losing the money—it was also about their future in Canada 🇨🇦. Without the lawyer, they worried their application would not go through, or worse, that they could face removal from the country.
The pain and uncertainty these newcomers feel are shared by many others. News reports show that several immigrants face similar situations: they trust someone with their case, pay the required fees, then suddenly have to deal with silence and unanswered questions.
Other Cases Raise More Questions
While public records don’t name the lawyer in this Ukrainian couple’s story, there is mention of a lawyer in Thornhill, Ontario named Maria Mikhailitchenko. This lawyer is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant and has been linked to other cases involving questionable help offered to immigrants. Authorities have not said whether she is linked to this latest case, but her situation shows that law enforcement is taking these matters seriously when they are officially reported.
The fact that multiple reports exist about similar cases makes it clear that the problem goes beyond just one Ukrainian couple. Many newcomers, especially those facing language problems or difficult paperwork, may feel forced to depend on people who might not have their best interests at heart.
Why Do Such Problems Happen?
Most immigrants and refugees arriving in Canada 🇨🇦 hope to find a better future. But the immigration process can be confusing and stressful. Many applicants have to fill out forms, provide lots of documents, and follow complex rules. For families like the Ukrainian couple, English or French may not be their first language, making it even harder to handle legal steps alone.
This creates space for people—sometimes real lawyers, sometimes just people claiming to help—to offer their services. Some are honest and do excellent work helping clients. Others, however, see an opportunity to make quick money by preying on people’s hope and fear.
- Some lawyers take money but do little or no real work.
- Others may not be lawyers at all, but pretend to be.
- Some stop replying completely after being paid.
For immigrants, spotting the difference can be hard. If you don’t know the system, it’s easy to trust someone who promises quick results or “guaranteed” approval.
Advice for Ukrainians and Other Newcomers
No one wants to be in the position of the Ukrainian couple—out of pocket, stressed, and unsure what comes next. Thankfully, there are steps people can take to better protect themselves.
Check Professional Status
Lawyers in Canada 🇨🇦 must be registered with a provincial law society. Before paying money, you can look up the lawyer’s name using the Law Society’s website for your province. For example, Ontario’s Law Society of Ontario keeps a searchable list of all certified lawyers and states if they’ve faced discipline or lost the right to practice. Reliable legal professionals should not mind if you ask to check their registration and history.
Only Sign Written Agreements
Before agreeing to any services—or handing over any money—ask for a written contract. This should clearly state the agreed fee, what help you will receive, and how you will be billed for different services. Read all contracts carefully, and don’t sign anything you don’t fully understand.
Get Receipts for Payments
Make all payments by traceable means, like cheque or bank transfer, and always ask for a receipt. This is your proof that you have paid for a service. If anything goes wrong, it will be easier to explain your situation to authorities.
For Immigration Consultants
Some people in Canada 🇨🇦 help with immigration paperwork but are not lawyers. They are called “immigration consultants.” Consultants are regulated by a special board called the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Their website offers a way to check if someone is licensed and in good standing.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do: Ask for references from past clients.
- Do: Search online for the lawyer’s or consultant’s history.
- Don’t: Trust anyone who promises guaranteed results or “inside” help for extra money.
- Don’t: Hand over your passport or original documents unless you know the helper is trustworthy.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If you think something is wrong—such as a lawyer taking your money, then disappearing—you need to act fast. This is what authorities and immigration support groups recommend:
- Contact your province’s law society. They can confirm if the person is truly a lawyer and offer advice on what to do next.
- File a formal complaint. Every law society has a process for reviewing complaints about lawyers.
- If you worked with an immigration consultant, check their status with the CICC and contact them about possible fraud.
- Report the case to the police if you think you are a victim of criminal activity.
- Reach out to local immigrant advocacy organizations, many of which have experience guiding people through tough situations and pointing them to honest help.
It’s also a good idea to keep all emails, contracts, payment records, and notes about your chat with your legal helper. This information will help any investigation.
For more information on reporting fraud or finding registered immigration professionals, you can visit the Government of Canada’s page on avoiding immigration fraud.
The Impact on Immigrants and the System
Incidents like the Ukrainian couple’s case aren’t just individual tragedies. When a newcomer pays money and still faces the risk of deportation, it sends a message to other immigrants: be careful, or you could lose more than just money. Trust between new arrivals and Canada’s 🇨🇦 legal system can start to break down.
It also puts extra pressure on the legal and immigration systems:
- Law societies must investigate complaints, using up time and money.
- Immigration backlogs grow when applicants must redo or abandon faulty claims.
- People waiting years to join family or start a job might lose hope or decide to try for another country instead.
Authorities say it is very important to report any problems—doing so helps protect future newcomers from similar problems, and gives the system a chance to improve.
What Canadian Authorities Are Doing
Canada 🇨🇦 has strict rules about who can offer immigration-related legal services. It’s illegal to work as a lawyer, consultant, or paralegal if you aren’t properly licensed. There are tough penalties, including fines and possibly jail, for those caught breaking these rules.
Law societies and the CICC regularly warn the public about known scams. They publish lists of lawyers and consultants who have been disciplined, suspended, or banned. Police, when told of clear signs of fraud, will open investigations. In the case reported involving lawyer Maria Mikhailitchenko, police went so far as to issue a Canada-wide warrant.
Despite these controls, busy lawyers or desperate clients sometimes fall through the cracks. It is not possible for authorities to check in real time on every person offering to help with immigration paperwork. That is why the law puts some responsibility on the immigrant, to check credentials and watch for red flags.
How the Ukrainian Community Is Affected
The Ukrainian couple’s story stands out, but it isn’t the only example. With many Ukrainians fleeing war and harm, Canada 🇨🇦 has welcomed large numbers of people hoping to find safety. But adjusting to life in a new country is hard even for those who feel lucky to be here. Many rely on word-of-mouth advice, ads in community newspapers, or even “family friends” said to know the law.
Community groups, church organizations, and settlement agencies try their best to warn newcomers. They run information sessions, and in some cities, set up hotlines or drop-in clinics to answer legal questions. But newcomers, still frightened and unsure, may not know where to turn until a problem appears.
A trustworthy lawyer can make all the difference for Ukrainian families and others, ensuring paperwork is done right and keeping families together. But when things go wrong—like in the couple’s case—a family’s dreams can be put at risk.
The Role of Lawyers in Immigration
Lawyers play a part in many immigration cases. They deal with paperwork, speak with immigration officers, and can represent a person or family in court. But with these powers comes responsibility. Lawyers must:
- Be honest and clear with their clients.
- Keep clients informed about progress and problems.
- Return messages and keep clients’ information private.
- Not charge hidden or unfair fees.
Law societies exist to make sure lawyers live up to these promises. If a lawyer fails—especially if they vanish with client money—the society can punish them, take away their right to work, and sometimes help clients recover their lost fees.
How to Increase Your Safety When Choosing a Lawyer
Here are some tips for selecting a reliable professional:
- Research multiple lawyers or consultants. Don’t choose the first one that appears promising; ask questions and compare.
- Ask for a consultation. Many honest lawyers offer a short initial meeting for free or for a small fee.
- Request proof of membership. Every real lawyer will have an official number and proof they are registered with their law society.
- Talk to immigrant groups or community centers. They can often recommend trustworthy professionals.
- Look for clear contracts and expectations before you pay.
By following these steps, Ukrainian couples and other newcomers can reduce the risk of being left in the same situation—facing not just lost money, but lost peace of mind.
Conclusion: A Call for Greater Awareness
The story of the Ukrainian couple is a warning to all immigrants and to Canada’s 🇨🇦 legal community. It shows how easy it is for even smart, careful people to be taken advantage of when they are desperate for help. The solution rests in careful research, strong support from both the government and communities, and a justice system ready to act when rules are broken.
Canada 🇨🇦 remains a country where many find safety, hope, and a new beginning. Stories like these are a reminder for everyone—immigrants, lawyers, and public officials—to stay alert, be honest, and help build trust.
For anyone facing similar problems, help is available. Provincial law societies, the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, and community groups are ready to step in. The key is to speak up early and not give up hope, even when it feels like no one is listening.
VisaVerge.com will continue to follow developments and share advice to make sure all newcomers—including Ukrainian couples—know their rights and the best ways to protect themselves as they start their new life in Canada 🇨🇦.
Learn Today
Law Society → A regulatory body that licenses and oversees lawyers, ensuring ethical standards and handling complaints about legal professionals.
Immigration Consultant → A professional licensed by the CICC, authorized to help immigrants with paperwork and applications but not to practice law.
College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) → The Canadian organization responsible for regulating and licensing immigration consultants, maintaining standards and public trust.
Written Agreement → A signed legal contract outlining services, responsibilities, fees, and terms, necessary to formalize and protect the client-lawyer relationship.
Fraud → The act of intentionally deceiving someone for financial or personal gain, often through false representation or unethical conduct.
This Article in a Nutshell
A Ukrainian couple’s troubling experience in Canada reveals a common threat: untrustworthy immigration helpers. By spotlighting fraud cases, the article urges newcomers to verify lawyers’ credentials, use written contracts, and keep proper records. Community groups and Canadian authorities offer resources for immigrants to safeguard themselves against fraud and exploitation.
— By VisaVerge.com
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