Montreal Bar Association Warns Against Fraudulent Immigration Lawyers
The pursuit of the Canadian dream can swiftly turn into a nightmare for newcomers who fall victim to fraudulent immigration lawyers, warns David Ettedgui, President of the Montreal Bar. The Park-Extension borough, known for its diverse immigrant population, is not immune to this issue. Ettedgui emphasized the plight of vulnerable populations in the city, often at the mercy of con artists masquerading as legal professionals, extracting exorbitant fees for subpar or nonexistent services.
Victims come from various backgrounds, ranging from deep-pocketed investors to asylum seekers arriving with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Despite their differences, they share a common goal: to start a new life in Canada. Instead, they find themselves trapped in a web of deception spun by unscrupulous individuals posing as immigration lawyers.
In response to the growing prevalence of immigration-related frauds, the Montreal Bar has launched an awareness campaign urging the public to verify the credentials of immigration lawyers practicing in Quebec. The campaign highlights the importance of vigilance, warning against red flags such as secret meetings, promises of rapid results, and the absence of official contracts.
Ettedgui noted a significant rise in immigration fraud complaints received by the Bar in recent years. Although specific details were not revealed, the Bar Association disclosed that reports of fake lawyers tripled between 2018 and 2022, accounting for nearly 40% of all complaints in the last year.
This increase in complaints reflects not only the vulnerable position of immigrants but also the audacity of perpetrators exploiting their desperation for personal gain. Many victims, Ettedgui noted, are former clients of legitimate lawyers who have been deceived by fraudulent professionals operating outside the law.
Identifying fake lawyers can be challenging, especially for immigrants unfamiliar with the legal landscape. However, resources such as the online directory of the Barreau du Québec members provide a means to verify a lawyer’s qualifications. Furthermore, the Montreal Bar’s campaign offers a list of accredited resources to help individuals secure legal representation.
Rose Ndjel, director of Montreal’s Africa au Féminin Immigrant Services Center, reiterated Ettedgui’s concerns, noting several cases of individuals misled by fake lawyers. She recounted the distress of clients who, unaware of the deception, faced deportation orders believing their immigration applications were being processed. Despite the prevalence of such cases, Ndjel noted the victims’ reluctance to file formal complaints, fearing repercussions on their immigration status. She praised the Montreal Bar campaign as a positive step towards addressing the issue and urged its continuation and expansion.
