SYRIAN REFUGEES WARNED OF RESETTLEMENT SCAMS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Ottawa’s plan to usher in 25,000 Syrian refugees may have also opened the door to unscrupulous people seeking to make a profit off the backs of desperate asylum seekers hoping to resettle in Canada. Flyers and online messages have sprung up on social media offering to connect Syrian refugees with sponsorship groups and submit their refugee applications to Canada — for a fee of hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars. But resettlement groups are warning people to beware, noting that refugee resettlement is about helping people, not about turning a profit. “You don’t make money off humani- tarian work. That’s why refugee resettlement is under the humanitarian stream of Canadian immigration,” said Brian Dyck, chair of the Council of the Canadian Refugee Sponsorship Agreement Holders Association. Government-recognized private sponsorship agreement holders say they only work directly with groups or individuals who fundraise to support the refugee they select for resettlement at a fee of no more than $100, as government rules stipulate. One recent posting on the Arabic news page, Canada Today, offered to connect Syrian refugees with private sponsorship groups, referring inquiries to a licensed immigration consultant. It is not illegal for a registered member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) to charge for such a service. Citizenship and Immigration Canada would not comment on the legality of immigration consultants playing matchmaker, and referred the Star to its website on how to file a complaint against authorized or unauthorized representatives. Bob Brack, president and CEO of ICCRC, said the consultants’ watchdog does not cap service charges and only requires members’ fees be “fair and reasonable.” He warns the public to be cautious when signing a retainer’s agreement with a consultant to ensure what work — such as filling forms , securing sponsors and courier — is being provided at the fee.