Canada warns visa applicants against fake lottery

Immigration officials in Canada are cautioning applicants against falling for scams promising guaranteed immigration outcomes. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department issued a public warning on its X account, emphasizing that no lottery, shortcut, or secret program can guarantee any individual's selection to immigrate to Canada.

The department stressed that no person or organization can promise quicker processing, priority treatment, or approval of an immigration application. They advised potential applicants to steer clear of any offers that seem too good to be true, as these are likely scams.

To safeguard themselves, IRCC recommended applicants take three crucial steps: verify all information about immigration programs exclusively from official Government of Canada sources, exercise caution when approached by anyone requesting payment for a guaranteed result, and refrain from sharing personal information unless utilizing an official IRCC platform.

The department highlighted that scammers often exploit social media, emails, and phone calls to falsely claim the availability of special programs or expedited services in exchange for fees. They affirmed that only authorized IRCC officials have the authority to decide on immigration applications, and these decisions are solely based on eligibility criteria.

IRCC urged applicants to cross-check all information on the official Canada.ca website and to report any suspicious offers. Gilbert Ekugbe, a journalist at Punch Newspapers, reported on this advisory, drawing from his decade-long experience covering business and economic affairs. His work is committed to accuracy and responsible journalism, aiming to help readers comprehend intricate business matters. All rights reserved for this content.