The Canadian High Commission in Abuja has teamed up with its British and Australian counterparts to launch an awareness drive aimed at curbing visa-related fraud. Unveiled on November 27 during International Fraud Awareness Week, the #FightingVisaFraud campaign warns Nigerian applicants against intermediaries who promise guaranteed visas or fast-tracked approvals.
Diplomats from the three countries said criminal networks are exploiting high demand for work, study and travel visas, often leaving victims with huge financial losses and multi-year bans. Campaign materials circulated on social media outline red flags—exorbitant fees, pressure tactics, fake job offers—and direct applicants to official government websites.
![Canada joins U.K. and Australia in #FightingVisaFraud campaign targeting scams in Nigeria]()
For Canada, the move supports broader efforts to protect the integrity of its immigration system amid historic application volumes. IRCC data show Nigeria has become one of the fastest-growing source countries for students and skilled workers, making it a prime target for fraudulent agents.
Canadian employers recruiting from West Africa should factor the campaign into talent-acquisition strategies, reminding candidates to use authorized channels only. The High Commission is also bolstering its own anti-fraud unit and says it will share intelligence with RCMP investigators and provincial regulators who license immigration consultants.
While the initiative focuses on Nigeria, officials hinted that similar joint efforts could roll out in other high-risk regions, reflecting a shift toward multilateral enforcement in the face of transnational visa crime.
Diplomats from the three countries said criminal networks are exploiting high demand for work, study and travel visas, often leaving victims with huge financial losses and multi-year bans. Campaign materials circulated on social media outline red flags—exorbitant fees, pressure tactics, fake job offers—and direct applicants to official government websites.
For Canada, the move supports broader efforts to protect the integrity of its immigration system amid historic application volumes. IRCC data show Nigeria has become one of the fastest-growing source countries for students and skilled workers, making it a prime target for fraudulent agents.
Canadian employers recruiting from West Africa should factor the campaign into talent-acquisition strategies, reminding candidates to use authorized channels only. The High Commission is also bolstering its own anti-fraud unit and says it will share intelligence with RCMP investigators and provincial regulators who license immigration consultants.
While the initiative focuses on Nigeria, officials hinted that similar joint efforts could roll out in other high-risk regions, reflecting a shift toward multilateral enforcement in the face of transnational visa crime.
