A disturbing fraud case has come to light in British Columbia, where a licensed immigration consultant has discovered her firm’s name being misused in fraudulent documents aimed at deceiving foreign workers.
Neera Agnihotri, a Surrey-based immigration consultant, recently found out that Agnihotri Immigration Consulting Inc. was falsely listed on Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) that she had no involvement with.
“I was like, ‘No, this is not our client,’” Agnihotri told CBC News. “You can see signs of forgery — font changes, typos, even a misspelling of my company’s name.”
What Are LMIAs — And Why Are They Being Forged?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is an essential document required by Canadian employers who wish to hire temporary foreign workers. Issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), it shows that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to do the job.
But increasingly, fraudsters are creating forged LMIA documents and selling them to unsuspecting immigrants with false promises of legal work and residency in Canada.
Key Reasons Why These Documents Are Targeted
- LMIA-supported jobs often fast-track PR applications.
- Desperate workers are willing to pay large sums.
- Verification processes are weak outside official channels.
Agnihotri learned about the scam when two different immigration firms reached out to her in March. Both had received LMIA documents for workers claiming her firm was involved, but she had never heard of either the employers or the candidates.
The forged LMIAs mentioned businesses in the Okanagan construction industry and an Abbotsford trucking company. Both denied involvement and confirmed they never issued the offers.
“It’s quite concerning because I’ve only seen two,” Agnihotri said. “We don’t know how many more might be circulating.”
The consultant has since reported the fraudulent documents to ESDC for investigation.
How Big Is LMIA Fraud in Canada?
The true scale is unclear. ESDC does not release statistics on LMIA-related fraud. But the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) says any case where a foreign worker pays for an LMIA is considered fraud.
The CICC has shut down over 5,000 websites and social media pages advertising fake immigration services. Yet the problem persists. Toronto-based consultant Cassandra Fultz says her office receives frequent inquiries from people wanting to verify LMIAs, and none have turned out to be genuine. “They look convincing at times. But they’re fake. People are losing thousands,” Fultz said.
Why This Matters
Fake LMIA schemes don’t just hurt the victims who pay for them. They also damage the credibility of legitimate Canadian immigration consultants, confuse employers, and risk undermining the integrity of Canada’s temporary foreign worker programs.
Here’s how foreign workers can protect themselves:
| Red Flags of a Fake LMIA | What to Do |
| You’re asked to pay for a job offer or LMIA | Immediately report to CICC or IRCC |
| Typos or altered fonts in your documents | Cross-verify with the official firm |
| Unfamiliar consultants listed in paperwork | Check CICC’s list of authorized practitioners |
| No personal interview or employer contact | It’s likely a scam |
This latest LMIA fraud case shows how deeply embedded immigration scams have become — and how easily desperate hopefuls can fall prey. As Canada tightens immigration rules, scammers are finding new ways to exploit foreign workers’ dreams.
If you’re considering working in Canada, always verify every document and never pay for an LMIA or job offer. And if you’re a licensed consultant, remain alert: your name might be used without your knowledge.
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