Tuition scammers stole $126K from Ontario international students, border agents say

Two Ontario men have been charged with fraud after a dozen international students were scammed out of $126,000, border officials say.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says the investigation started in February of last year after receiving a tip from Lambton College in Sarnia.

Border against say an investigation revealed two men allegedly took money from international students by falsely promising the funds would be used to pay their tuition fees. The fraud was worth around $126,000, the CBSA says.

Victims were provided with fake enrolment documents, but were not actually enrolled in the post-secondary programs that had been promised., the CBSA says.

The CBSA searched homes and businesses linked to the suspects and said two men were charged on July 2.

Hardik Dave, of Cambridge, has been charged with four counts each of fraud over $5,000, uttering forged documents and counselling misrepresentation.

Jainishkumar Patel, 35, of London, Ont., is believed to have fled the country and is wanted on an arrest warrant for the same charges.

Anyone with information about the suspect or suspicious cross-border activity can contact the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060. Anonymous tips may also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.