2 Ontario men face fraud, immigration-related charges after alleged tuition scam on international students

A Canada Border Services Agency patch is seen on the uniform of a CBSA officer at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, October 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The Canada Border Services Agency has laid multiple criminal charges against two Ontario men following an investigation into an alleged immigration scheme that authorities say defrauded international students of an estimated $126,000.

According to CBSA, the investigation started in February 2025 after the Intelligence and Enforcement Division received a tip from Lambton College in Sarnia, Ont.

As part of the investigation, authorities interviewed alleged victims and launched an extensive probe into claims that international students had been misled about post-secondary enrollment and tuition payments.

The CBSA alleges the two men collected money from international students after falsely promising the funds would be used to pay tuition fees. Investigators say the students were provided with fraudulent enrollment documents but were never enrolled in the programs.

As part of the investigation, CBSA officers used two search warrants at the homes and businesses of the accused and seized electronic devices. Authorities later used additional warrants to examine digital forensic data taken from those devices.

One suspect believed to have fled the country, CBSA says

Following the investigation, Hardik Dave of Cambridge, Ont., and Jainishkumar Patel, 35, of London, Ont., were each charged on June 2 with four counts of fraud over $5,000 under the Criminal Code, four counts of uttering forged documents under the Criminal Code, and four counts of counselling misrepresentation under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Dave is scheduled to appear in London court on July 10.

Patel is believed to have fled the country and is wanted on an arrest warrant.

The allegations have not been proven in court.