Key Takeaways
• Brijesh Mishra was arrested June 24, 2025, for a major fake Canadian college offer letter scam.
• Around 700 Punjabi students were affected, losing up to Rs16 lakh each in fees.
• Mishra fled to Canada in 2022, was detained, jailed, then deported to India in 2025.
Brijesh Mishra, a name now widely known among Punjabi students and their families, stands at the center of one of the largest overseas education scams in recent memory. On June 24, 2025, Mishra was arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi after arriving from Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦. Authorities had issued a Lookout Circular against him following multiple complaints and criminal cases filed in India. The scam, which involved forged Canadian college offer letters, has left hundreds of students and their families devastated, raising urgent questions about the safety of international education pathways and the need for stricter oversight of immigration consultants.
How the Scam Unfolded: Who, What, When, Where, and Why
Who: Brijesh Mishra, owner of Education and Migration Services in Jalandhar, Punjab, is accused of masterminding a scheme that targeted Punjabi students seeking to study in Canada 🇨🇦.
What: Mishra’s consultancy issued fake offer letters from Canadian colleges, promising students admission and a pathway to study abroad. He charged each student between Rs 14 to 16 lakh for these services.
When: The scam operated between 2016 and 2020, with Mishra fleeing to Canada 🇨🇦 in October 2022. He was detained by Canadian authorities in June 2023, served a prison sentence, and was deported to India in June 2025.
Where: The scam was based in Jalandhar, Punjab, but its effects were felt across India and in Canada 🇨🇦, where students arrived only to discover their college admissions were fake.
Why: The promise of a better future and high demand for overseas education made Punjabi students easy targets. Mishra exploited this demand, using forged documents to collect large sums of money from hopeful families.
The Arrest and Immediate Aftermath
Upon his arrival in Delhi, Mishra was immediately taken into custody by Indian authorities. The next day, June 25, 2025, he was presented before a local court in Jalandhar and placed under a seven-day police remand for further questioning. Police are now investigating the full scope of the scam, including the number of students affected, the methods used to create and distribute fake offer letters, and the identities of any accomplices.
Key facts:
– Date of arrest: June 24, 2025
– Location: Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
– Current status: In police custody in Jalandhar, Punjab
The Modus Operandi: Step-by-Step Breakdown
The scam followed a clear pattern, which authorities have now pieced together:
- Issuing Fake Offer Letters: Mishra’s consultancy created forged offer letters from well-known Canadian colleges. These letters looked genuine and convinced students and their families that they had secured admission.
- Collecting Large Fees: Students were charged between Rs 14 to 16 lakh for admission and visa processing.
- Visa Processing: Using the fake documents, students applied for Canadian study visas.
- Arrival in Canada 🇨🇦: Once in Canada 🇨🇦, students learned that their supposed colleges had no record of their admission.
- False Promises and Delays: Mishra would advise students to wait for the next session or seek admission to other colleges, sometimes offering partial refunds, though this was rare.
- Escape and Detention: Mishra fled to Canada 🇨🇦 in 2022 but was detained by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in June 2023 for immigration offenses.
- Deportation and Arrest: After serving a three-year sentence (with 19 months in detention), Mishra was deported to India and arrested upon arrival.
The Scale of the Scam: Impact on Punjabi Students
The numbers involved are staggering. Around 700 students are believed to have been duped, with over 200 students confirmed to have received fake offer letters. Most victims were young Punjabi students and their families, who often spent their life savings in hopes of a brighter future in Canada 🇨🇦.
Real-life consequences included:
– Financial loss: Families lost large sums, often taking loans or selling property.
– Emotional distress: Students faced uncertainty, stress, and the threat of deportation from Canada 🇨🇦.
– Legal troubles: Some students became entangled in immigration investigations, despite being victims themselves.
Legal Proceedings in India and Canada 🇨🇦
In India
Nine cases have been registered against Brijesh Mishra in Jalandhar. The charges include:
– Cheating: Deceiving students and families for financial gain.
– Forgery: Creating fake documents.
– Criminal conspiracy: Working with others to carry out the scam.
– Human smuggling: Facilitating illegal migration under the Punjab Travel Act, which carries severe penalties.
In Canada 🇨🇦
Mishra was detained by the CBSA for:
– Offering immigration advice without a license: Only authorized representatives can provide such services in Canada 🇨🇦.
– Misrepresentation: Providing false information to Canadian authorities.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison. After serving 19 months in a Canadian detention center, Mishra was deported to India.
For more information on Canadian immigration enforcement, visit the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) official website.
Official Statements and Ongoing Investigation
Harinder Singh Gill, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police in Jalandhar, is leading the investigation. He has stated that police are working to uncover the full extent of the scam, including financial transactions and the production of fake documents. Authorities are also looking into whether other individuals or agencies were involved.
Canadian officials, especially the CBSA, played a key role in detaining Mishra and charging him under Canadian immigration laws. The case has attracted attention from both the Indian and Canadian governments due to its cross-border nature and the large number of victims.
Why Did This Happen? Vulnerabilities in the System
The scam has exposed several weaknesses in the overseas education consultancy sector:
– Lack of regulation: Many consultancies operate without proper licenses or oversight.
– High demand: The strong desire among Punjabi students to study in Canada 🇨🇦 creates opportunities for fraudsters.
– Limited awareness: Many families are unaware of how to verify offer letters or check the credentials of consultants.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this case has prompted calls for stricter regulation and licensing of immigration consultants in India. There is also growing pressure on Canadian authorities to scrutinize student visa applications more closely, especially those linked to high-risk regions or agencies.
Policy Implications and What’s Next
For Students and Families
- Verify every document: Always check the authenticity of offer letters directly with the college or through official channels.
- Use authorized consultants: Only work with licensed immigration consultants. In Canada 🇨🇦, you can verify a consultant’s status on the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) website.
- Report suspicious activity: If you suspect fraud, contact local police or the Ministry of External Affairs in India.
For Governments
- Stricter licensing: Authorities in India are considering tighter rules for overseas education consultancies, including mandatory licensing and regular audits.
- Better information sharing: India and Canada 🇨🇦 may improve cooperation to detect and prevent similar scams.
- Awareness campaigns: Both countries are likely to launch campaigns to educate students about the risks of fake documents and unauthorized agents.
For Genuine Applicants
Unfortunately, scams like this can make it harder for honest students to get visas. Canadian immigration authorities have increased scrutiny on applications from India, especially those linked to Punjab. This means longer processing times and more document checks, even for genuine students.
The Human Cost: Stories from the Ground
Many Punjabi students caught in the scam have shared their experiences. Some arrived in Canada 🇨🇦 only to find themselves stranded, with no college to attend and no way to recover their money. Others faced the threat of deportation, despite having followed what they believed were legitimate procedures.
Families have reported selling property or taking out loans to pay Mishra’s fees. The emotional and financial toll has been immense, with many still struggling to rebuild their lives.
Lessons Learned and Steps Forward
The Brijesh Mishra case is a wake-up call for anyone considering overseas education. Here are some practical steps to protect yourself:
- Always check the official website of the college or university before accepting an offer letter.
- Consult only with authorized agents. In India, you can check the Ministry of External Affairs’ list of approved consultants.
- Keep records of all transactions and communications.
- If something feels wrong, seek help immediately from local authorities or official helplines.
What Are the Authorities Doing Now?
The investigation is ongoing. Police are working to:
– Identify other people involved in the scam.
– Recover money taken from students and families.
– Prevent similar scams in the future by tightening regulations and increasing oversight.
Mishra faces further legal proceedings in India, including possible charges under the Punjab Travel Act, which could result in severe penalties.
Broader Impact on the Overseas Education Sector
This scam has damaged trust in the overseas education process, especially for Punjabi students and their families. Genuine consultants now face increased scrutiny, and students may find it harder to get visas due to stricter checks.
Consumer rights advocates are calling for:
– Mandatory licensing for all overseas education consultants.
– Regular audits of consultancy firms.
– Clear guidelines for students on how to verify documents and agents.
Immigration analysts stress the need for better cooperation between India and Canada 🇨🇦 to protect students and prevent future scams.
Resources for Victims and Prospective Students
If you or someone you know has been affected by this scam, here are some steps you can take:
- Contact the Jalandhar Police, Model Town Police Station for updates on the investigation.
- Report fraud to the Punjab Police using their official website or helpline.
- Check the Ministry of External Affairs website for guidelines on studying abroad and a list of authorized consultants.
- Visit the CBSA official website for information on Canadian immigration enforcement and advisories.
Conclusion: Moving Toward Safer Overseas Education
The arrest of Brijesh Mishra marks a significant step in addressing fraud in the overseas education sector. However, the case also highlights the need for ongoing vigilance, better regulation, and stronger cooperation between countries. For Punjabi students and their families, the most important lesson is to stay informed, verify every document, and seek help from trusted sources.
By learning from this case, students can better protect themselves and ensure that their dreams of studying in Canada 🇨🇦 or elsewhere are built on a solid, honest foundation. The hope is that with stricter rules and greater awareness, such scams will become a thing of the past, and genuine students will have a fair chance to pursue their education abroad.
Learn Today
Lookout Circular → A police alert issued to detain individuals during travel for legal actions against them.
Forged Offer Letters → Fake admission documents falsely claiming acceptance by educational institutions to deceive students.
Punjab Travel Act → An Indian law penalizing unauthorized human smuggling and illegal migration facilitation.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) → Canadian agency enforcing border security, immigration laws, and detaining immigration offenders.
Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) → A regulatory body licensing authorized immigration consultants in Canada.
This Article in a Nutshell
In June 2025, Brijesh Mishra was arrested for orchestrating a large scam issuing fake Canadian college offer letters to Punjabi students, exploiting their dreams and charging hefty fees. Authorities continue investigating, aiming to prevent future fraud and protect genuine students pursuing overseas education opportunities.
— By VisaVerge.com
