Arrest Warrant Issued for Montreal Man in Alleged Immigration Fraud Scheme: CBSA

A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) patch is seen on the shoulder of a CBSA officer’s uniform in Tsawwassen, B.C., on Dec. 16, 2022. The Canadian Press/Darryl DyckAn arrest warrant has been issued for a Montreal man who the border agency believes has left the country after an investigation alleged that he was running an immigration fraud scheme.A warrant was issued for Abul Kasim, 42, after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) laid five charges against him on July 28, 2026, in connection with an investigation into the illegal entry of persons into Canada.The investigation began in 2024 based on information provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, according to an Aug. 21 news release.The CBSA says it executed a search warrant at Kasim’s Montreal residence on May 8, 2025, where it found evidence indicating that he allegedly helped 65 people provide false information in applications for temporary resident visas (TRVs) and in asylum claim.The applications were made over the roughly 26-month period between Jan. 13, 2022, and March 19, 2024, the agency says.The CBSA says Kasim is also alleged to have facilitated the entry of 53 people into Canada using fraudulently obtained TRVs, allowing them to settle permanently in the country. As well, during that period, he is alleged to have used four falsified Canadian passports in a scheme in which he allegedly impersonated hosts in invitation letters submitted with those TRV applications.The agency alleges that Kasim presented himself as an immigration consultant working for an international company with offices in Canada, France, and Bangladesh.Kasim has been charged with conspiracy to facilitate the illegal entry of persons into Canada, facilitating the illegal entry of persons into Canada, counselling or assisting persons to provide false information in visa applications, using falsified Canadian passports, and using passports while knowing they were forged.Two of the charges are violations of the Criminal Code, while four of them are violations of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.None of the allegations have been proven in court.Between April 1, 2025, and March 31 this year, the CBSA opened 161 criminal investigations into suspected violations of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, according to the news release, which says such violations are subject to serious consequences, including criminal charges, court fines, probation, imprisonment, and a criminal record.According to the Department of Justice, Canada can make an extradition request to another country for a person who has been charged, who is awaiting sentencing, or who has already been sentenced. Prosecutors must consult the department as to what is required in seeking extradition from a particular country and whether extradition from a non-treaty country is possible.“Canada welcomes people from around the world through an immigration system built on fairness and integrity. Those who seek to circumvent the rules or exploit the system may face serious consequences,” Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree said in the CBSA news release.