An investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has resulted in three charges being laid against four individuals and a fifth accomplice in connection with an immigration fraud scheme.

Rashel Mirza, of Montréal; Mohammed Aminul Islam, of Montréal; Md Mudassar Alam Bhuiyan, of Toronto; and Md Rakibul Hassan, of Bangladesh, appeared at the Valleyfield courthouse on October 22, 2026. As Md Rakibul Hassan is currently reported to be in Bangladesh, a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

On July 3, 2024, the CBSA conducted an operation involving a compliance and control check on the occupants of a private residence in Mercier with officers and representatives of the Town of Mercier police department and fire department. Having noted a number of indications of non-compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the CBSA began an investigation into the activities of the accused in August of that year.

The investigation identified 209 Bangladeshi nationals for whom 243 temporary resident visa (TRV) applications had been submitted for the purpose of visiting Canadian citizens presented as hosts. The investigators found that an elaborate scheme had been established to enable these foreign nationals to obtain a TRV by means of fraudulent documents and false statements.

CBSA investigators executed four search warrants in Quebec and Ontario on June 3, 2025. The evidence gathered, including documents and computer equipment, pointed to the involvement of five individuals in carrying out the scheme. Given the scale and complexity of the scheme, the CBSA focused its efforts on the 79 most probative TRV applications.

As a result, the accused have been charged with conspiracy to organize or facilitate the coming into Canada of one or more persons, contrary to subsection 117(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), thereby committing an offence under subsection 117(3) of the IRPA; Knowingly inducing, aiding or abetting persons to misrepresent or hide material facts relating to immigration applications, contrary to section 126 of the IRPA, thereby committing an offence under paragraph 128(a) of the IRPA and knowingly inducing, aiding or abetting persons to contravene the IRPA, contrary to section 131 of the IRPA, thereby committing an offence under subsection 117(3) of the IRPA.

The charges are subject to validation by the court.

“Canada’s immigration system is built on integrity, fairness and respect for the law. Those who seek to exploit or undermine our system for fraudulent purposes face serious consequences. I want to thank CBSA employees for their diligent work to protect the security and integrity of our borders.”– The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety