Montreal lawyers warning immigrants to beware of fake lawyers

Montreal lawyers are warning newcomers to beware of fake immigration lawyers after a spike in fraud complaints.

The Bar of Montreal says complaints about fraudulent immigration lawyers has tripled in recent years, from 13 per cent of total complaints in 2018 to 39 per cent in 2022.

They usually meet with victims in informal locations, exchange little paperwork and demand cash payments that exceed normal rates.

“If a lawyer suggests to you to meet in a place which is public, it should raise a red flag for you,” said lawyer Yasmina Boukossa.

Fake lawyers can be people who have been disbarred, or immigrants who were authorized to practice law in their origin country but are not certified in Quebec.

Some of these lawyers will also take advantage if you’re unable to speak French or English.

“If a lawyer does not give you an invoice or a receipt for the amount that you pay, it also should raise a red flag and at that moment you should make your verifications,” said Boukossa.

Oftentimes, the victims aren’t aware that they’ve dealt with fake lawyers.

“They find out when they realize that their file has not been well filed with immigration or that there are problems with immigration, then they find out about this fake lawyer and usually it’s a little bit too late,” explained Boukossa. “That’s why I strongly advise people to make their verification.”

The Bar of Montreal has launched an awareness campaign encouraging the public to verify that their immigration lawyers are registered members of the bar.

You can check their website, which is an online registry of Quebec’s lawyers and you can report anyone who’s not part of it.

“Contact first the bar because we’re speaking about lawyers to denounce this person and second also to contact, especially if he or she gave money to that person to contact the police authorities to be able to file a complaint against that person,” concluded Boukossa.