Indian Immigration Agent Guilty in Student Fraud Gets Jail

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Brijesh Mishra, an Indian immigration agent at the heart of a fraudulent scheme targeting aspiring students from India seeking Canadian visas, has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to immigration offenses in a Vancouver court. Mishra's arrest ensued from a Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation that implicated him in orchestrating numerous fraudulent acceptance letters for Canadian educational institutions between 2016 and 2020.

Standing in a Vancouver courtroom adorned in a red jumpsuit, Mishra expressed remorse for his actions, admitting guilt to three charges under Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, including misrepresentation and communicating false information, as reported by CBC News. "I'm sorry," Mishra addressed the courtroom, acknowledging his inability to alter the past but vowing not to repeat his transgressions in the future. Arrested in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023, Mishra's tourist visa had expired at the time of his apprehension.

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In a rare display of unanimity, both the prosecution and defense jointly recommended a three-year prison term, a suggestion the presiding judge deemed appropriate. Mishra's time spent in custody since his arrest in 2023 will be credited towards his sentence, resulting in an additional 19 months of incarceration.

Gagan Nahal, Mishra's defense attorney, emphasized his client's genuine contrition, noting that Mishra opted to forego a trial and accept responsibility for his actions. Nahal further disclosed that 12 victims had come forward during the CBSA's investigation.

Following the completion of his sentence in Canada, Mishra faces deportation to India, where he confronts additional criminal charges, including involvement in human smuggling, an offense carrying the maximum penalty of death.

The proceedings shed light on a systematic pattern of deception outlined in a mutually agreed statement of facts between the prosecution and defense. Mishra preyed on aspiring students from Punjab, promising them admission to Canadian educational institutions in exchange for hefty fees. Victims entrusted Mishra with their personal documents, including passports and academic records, only to discover upon arrival in Canada that they had not been admitted to any educational institution. Mishra's responses to their grievances ranged from assisting enrollment in alternative institutions to evading contact altogether.

The CBSA affirmed its ongoing efforts to identify and assist victims of Mishra's fraud scheme, emphasizing their commitment to supporting legitimate students pursuing their studies in Canada. However, Mishra's actions have left a trail of shattered dreams and financial losses among those who fell prey to his deceitful practices.

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