National

Two people in B.C. accused in fake refugee claims

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Oct, 2020 08:28 PM

Two people in Metro Vancouver are accused of colluding with foreign nationals to make fraudulent claims for refugee protection in Canada.

The Canada Border Services Agency says Roger Bhatti of Delta and Sofiane Dahak of Vancouver face more than two dozen charges, including forgery, counselling misrepresentation of facts and use of forged documents.

The agency alleges the offences involved people originating from Central Europe and took place between 2002 and 2014.

It says in a news release that Bhatti, who is 61, practised as a lawyer and Dahak, who is 52, was an interpreter when the alleged offences occurred.

The agency began reviewing evidence connected to a number of refugee claims in 2012 and it says most of the claimants were found not to be refugees and were removed from Canada.

The accused are scheduled to appear in Surrey provincial court on Oct. 6.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Federal deficit could hit $256 billion, PBO says in new report

The parliamentary budget officer says in a new report that this year's federal deficit could hit $256 billion due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal deficit could hit $256 billion, PBO says in new report

Surrey man taken off plane for smoking

Police say, a WestJet flight from Vancouver to Toronto made a landing in Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon around 2:25 p.m. because of a disruptive passenger. The RCMP said Balvir Singh, a 60 year old Surrey resident lit a cigarette and didn't abide by instructions of the flight crew.

Surrey man taken off plane for smoking

City of Surrey named one of Canada's greenest employers

City of Surrey has been selected as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers in 2020, which recognizes employers that lead the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness in their organizations.

City of Surrey named one of Canada's greenest employers

Surrey City development corporation assets and activities to be transferred to City of Surrey.

Surrey City Council has voted to dissolve Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC), a for-profit development company owned by the City, and transfer its assets and operations over to the City of Surrey.

Surrey City development corporation assets and activities to be transferred to City of Surrey.

SickKids doctors expect safe return to school for Ontario students in September

Medical experts from Toronto's SickKids Hospital say children in Ontario should be able to return to school in September, even though the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 likely won't be eradicated by then.

SickKids doctors expect safe return to school for Ontario students in September

Don't fall for COVID-19 student loan relief scams

Student loan borrowers were targets for scams before the coronavirus pandemic hit. The longer people struggle, the more desperate they become, and that’s when scammers and fraudsters thrive.