A Windsor immigration consultant faces eleven counts of fraud in connection with client immigration applications.
An investigation by the Windsor immigration and passport section of the RCMP turned up 10 victims who paid fees for services they never received from the consultant.
The victims paid the consultant's firm between $2,000 and $100,000 to submit immigration applications and the accompanying fees to Citizenship and Immigration Canada on their behalf.
But over time, the victims discovered that the applications had never been submitted, the RCMP said.
Immigration consultants work for a fee to advise and assist prospective Canadian immigrants with their application process.
Immigration consultants are regulated by Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) and require membership with CSIC to practise in Canada. On May 5, 2006, the CSIC revoked the membership of the immigration consultant charged by the RCMP.
John Ryan, chair and acting CEO of CSIC, said this case highlights the need for prospective clients to check an immigration consultant's background.
"Most people would never consider hiring an unlicensed doctor or lawyer, and consumers need to realize that hiring an uncertified immigration consultant is just as unwise," Ryan said in a release.
CSIC maintains a list of its members on its website.
Francesco Salvatore "Sam" Burgio, 45, of Amherstburg, Ont., has been charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000 and nine counts of fraud under $5,000.
The RCMP are asking anyone who may have been a victim to contact the Windsor RCMP immigration and passport section at (519) 948-5287.
