The president of the Bar of Montreal, David Ettedgui, reported an alarming increase in cases of newcomers falling victim to fake immigration lawyers and urged the public to be cautious. He stated that these fraudsters are targeting vulnerable populations in the city, charging them excessively and offering mediocre or no assistance.
According to Ettedgui, victims of this scam come from various backgrounds, ranging from wealthy investors to asylum seekers. The Bar of Montreal has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the issue and encourage the public to verify the credentials of their immigration lawyers. This is in response to a substantial spike in immigration-related complaints received by the bar in recent years.
Ettedgui also emphasized that official reports may only represent a fraction of the overall cases of fraudulent immigration lawyers operating in Montreal. He advised people to check the Bar of Quebec’s online catalog of members to verify a lawyer’s credentials and find resources for accredited representation.
Rose Ndjel, the director of Montreal immigrant service centre Afrique au Féminin, recounted cases of people who were deceived by fake lawyers and ended up facing serious consequences in their immigration process. Many of these victims do not readily file official complaints due to fear of complicating their immigration status.
Despite the challenges, Ndjel expressed hope and encouragement regarding the Bar of Montreal’s campaign. She emphasized the importance of victims coming forward and lodging complaints against fake immigration lawyers to bring about accountability and resolution.