Cambridge man charged in scheme that defrauded international students of $126K
Victims were provided with fraudulent enrollment documents but were not enrolled in the post-secondary programs that had been promised
CambridgeToday Staff about 19 hours ago
A Cambridge man is among two facing charges after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigated an immigration scheme that defrauded international students of an estimated $126,000.
The investigation began in February 2025 after the CBSA Intelligence and Enforcement Division received a tip from Lambton College.
Investigators interviewed the victims and launched an extensive investigation.
Two individuals are alleged to have taken money from international students by falsely promising the funds would be used to pay their tuition fees. Victims were provided with fraudulent enrollment documents but were not enrolled in the post-secondary programs that had been promised.
CBSA executed two search warrants at the residences and businesses of the accused individuals and collected evidence of the fraudulent scheme from electronic devices. Subsequent warrants were obtained to examine the digital forensic data extracted from those devices.
As a result, both individuals were charged on June 2 with:
- four counts of fraud over $5,000, contrary to section 380(1) of the Criminal Code;
- four counts of uttering forged documents, contrary to section 368(1)(b) of the Criminal Code; and
- four counts of counselling misrepresentation, contrary to section 126 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
Hardik Dave of Cambridge, Ontario, is scheduled to appear in court on July 10, at the Ontario Court of Justice in London, Ontario.
The charges are subject to validation by the court.
Jainishkumar Patel, 35, of London, Ontario, is believed to have fled the country and is wanted on an arrest warrant.
35, of London, Ontario, is believed to have fled the country and is wanted on an arrest warrant.
“The Canada Border Services Agency is protecting vulnerable individuals from fraud and other harms. Those seeking to profit from fraudulent financial schemes are being held to account and brought to justice,” said Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree in a press release. (Cambridge Today, July 7, 2026)