Three women jailed in massive immigration fraud

Three women who fraudulently helped more than 1,600 immigrants become Canadian citizens or permanent residents were jailed and fined on Tuesday after pleading guilty to fraud worth $10 million in the largest immigration fraud case in B.C.’s history.

Of the 1,647 immigrants, 27 have been removed from Canada and another 71 have been issued removal orders, some of which have pending appeals, Postmedia News has learned. There are 456 remaining investigations pending.

Jin (Fanny) Ma, Ming Kun (Makkie) Wu and Wen (Vivian) Jiang were sentenced to 18 months in jail and fined a total of $220,000 after pleading guilty to several charges under Canada’s immigration and tax laws and the criminal code, according to a statement from Canada Border Services Agency and the tax department.

“This is the single largest investigation of immigration fraud in British Columbia’s history,” the statement said. It “included creating the fictitious appearance of Canadian residency to maintain permanent resident status and obtain Canadian citizenship.”

From 2006 to 2013, the women posed as immigration consultants through New Can Consultants and Wellong International Investments. They pleaded guilty to representing on immigration matters without authority, passport offences, misrepresentation, forgery and tax evasion.

Ma was fined $96,000, Wu $50,000 and Jiang $74,000.

Six others were charged in the case and their cases are still before the courts: Xiao Feng (Heki) He, Wen Liang (Eric) Li, Li (Ely) Li, Zheng Wen (Vicky) Ye, Xiao Ben (Ben) Chu and Tian (Gary) Chen.