Bogus Immigration Consultant Charged

Montréal, February 9, 2012 – A major investigation conducted by the Montréal RCMP Immigration and Passport Section has led the police to identify an alleged criminal organization involved in illegal immigration.  Amadou Niang, a 55-year-old bogus immigration consultant, has been charged with 42 counts of indictment, including for misrepresentation under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Mr. Niang’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 27, 2012, at which time further charges could be laid by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

Project CONJUGAL

In October 2009, the RCMP initiated an investigation dubbed Project CONJUGAL, the purpose of which was to address the legitimacy of hundreds of suspicious marriages.

The investigation revealed that Mr. Niang, who is believed to be the mastermind behind this scheme, provided advice on how to submit misrepresented facts to Citizenship and Immigration Canada to individuals whose visas were due to expire. Specifically, he organized fake marriages with the assistance of accomplices to allow these individuals originating from North Africa to remain in Canada. The network recruited young Canadian women in the Montréal area and arranged for them to participate in marriages of convenience in exchange for money.   The RCMP seized 315 files involving more than 630 persons.

Mr. Niang was intercepted early in the investigation at the Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau Airport. His luggage was searched, and several immigration-related documents were found, including fraudulent identification documents.

Last fall, a series of arrests took place to allow investigators to meet with individuals suspected of involvement in illegal immigration activity in connection with Mr. Niang. The key players in this network were then arrested and released on certain conditions. 

Immigration Fraud

The RCMP investigates suspicious activity by individuals or groups offering fraudulent advice to circumvent Canadian immigration laws or illegal services to help obtain Canadian citizenship more quickly or facilitate entry into Canada.

The RCMP Immigration and Passport Section is responsible for detecting and interdicting criminal activity in relation to human smuggling, international human trafficking, immigration/citizenship fraud, and forgery and use of false travel documents. The RCMP is working closely with its partners, including Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency.

Appeal to the Public

The RCMP urges citizens to report any information on suspected illicit immigration activity by local individuals or groups to its investigators at 514-939-8306. All tips will be kept confidential.

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For information:

Communications Office
514-939-8308

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