- CBSA filed five charges against Montreal resident Abul Kasim, accusing him of helping 65 people provide false information in visa and asylum applications.
- Investigators say he arranged entry for 53 people using fraudulently obtained visas, and four falsified Canadian passports were involved.
- The active warrant remained in place on August twenty-one, twenty twenty-six, while authorities believed Kasim had left Canada in June twenty twenty-five.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced five criminal charges Friday against Abul Kasim, 42, a Montreal resident authorities believe left Canada in June 2025 and may now be abroad. Investigators allege he helped 65 people provide false information in temporary resident visa and asylum applications.
The case also alleges that Kasim arranged for 53 people to enter Canada using fraudulently obtained temporary resident visas. Authorities issued an arrest warrant after they could not serve him with a summons to appear in court.
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Proceedings began at the Montreal Courthouse on July 28, 2026. The allegations cover conduct investigators say occurred from January 13, 2022, through March 19, 2024.
The investigation began in 2024 after Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provided information about suspicious visa activity. Kasim has not appeared in court to answer the allegations.
The case lists five separate alleged offences
The charges combine alleged facilitation, false information and passport use. They are:
| Alleged offence | Statutory reference |
|---|---|
| Conspiracy to facilitate the illegal entry of persons | Criminal Code s. 465(1)(c) and IRPA s. 117(1) |
| Facilitating the illegal entry of persons | IRPA ss. 117(1) and (3) |
| Counselling or assisting people to provide false information in visa applications | IRPA s. 126 |
| Using falsified Canadian passports | IRPA s. 122(1)(b) |
| Using forged passports while knowing they were forged | Criminal Code s. 57(1)(b)(i) |
The alleged passport conduct involved four falsified Canadian passports. Investigators say the documents helped impersonate hosts in invitation letters supporting visa applications.
Authorities also allege that Kasim presented himself as a legitimate immigration consultant. The firm he claimed to represent said it had offices in Canada, France, and Bangladesh.
Investigators searched the Montreal home before Kasim left Canada
Investigators executed a search warrant at Kasim’s Montreal residence on May 8, 2025. They seized physical and digital evidence during the search.
Kasim reportedly left Canada the following month. Authorities believe he is hiding abroad, and the active warrant now forms the basis of efforts to locate him with help from international partners.
The allegations describe a coordinated pattern rather than a single application. The agency says Kasim assisted applicants with temporary resident visa submissions and asylum claims, then arranged entries for people using fraudulently obtained visas.
The allegations remain unproven in court. A charge is not a finding of guilt.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the case underscored the government’s view that immigration enforcement must protect the system’s integrity.
"Canada welcomes people from around the world through an immigration system built on fairness and integrity. Those who seek to circumvent the rules or exploit the system may face serious consequences. I would like to thank CBSA employees for their vital work in protecting Canada's borders."
The alleged applications may create immigration consequences
The 53 people who entered Canada through the alleged scheme may face revocation of their status or citizenship, according to the investigation’s findings. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act treats obtaining status through misrepresentation as grounds for inadmissibility and deportation.
Those consequences would depend on the facts and the legal process in each person’s case. The allegations against Kasim do not by themselves establish what happened in any individual applicant’s file.
The case also draws a line between the alleged organizer and the people who submitted applications. Investigators accuse Kasim of counselling or assisting false information in visa applications, while the affected individuals could face separate immigration proceedings based on their own records and circumstances.
That distinction can matter in cases involving status, citizenship or removal. Anyone affected by an application connected to the investigation should obtain advice from a qualified Canadian immigration lawyer before responding to authorities.
Officials say the search for Kasim continues
Eric Lapierre, regional director general for the Quebec region, said investigators were pursuing evidence and potential prosecutions in fraud cases.
“Our criminal investigations team. is actively working to uncover immigration fraud schemes, gather evidence and prosecute offenders.”
The warrant remained active on August 21, 2026. Federal authorities said they were working with international partners to trace Kasim’s location.
The investigation’s central dates now span more than four years: the alleged conduct began on January 13, 2022, ended on March 19, 2024, and produced court proceedings on July 28, 2026. The search warrant followed on May 8, 2025, before authorities say Kasim departed Canada in June 2025.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney about your specific case.
