Canada files criminal charges over fraudulent visa applications for 209 Bangladeshis

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has filed criminal charges against five individuals following an investigation into fraudulent temporary visa applications. The probe identified 243 applications involving 209 Bangladeshi citizens that allegedly utilized forged documents and false information.

Four of the accused appeared in a Quebec court, while a fifth suspect, Md. Rakibul Hasan, remains in Bangladesh and is subject to an arrest warrant. The individuals charged are Russel Mirza, Mohammad Aminul Islam, Md. Mudassar Alam Bhuiyan, Kazi Nafiz Alam, and Md. Rakibul Hasan.

The investigation began following a surveillance operation in Mercier, Quebec, in July 2024, and included raids across four locations in Quebec and Ontario in June 2025. The charges include conspiracy to assist illegal entry into Canada, providing false information or concealing material facts, and aiding others in violating Canadian immigration laws.

Canadian immigration authorities have warned that the use of forged documents can lead to application cancellations and entry bans of at least five years. Public Safety Minister Marc Miller emphasized that the immigration system is built on integrity and that those attempting to exploit it will face serious legal consequences.