The Montreal Bar is warning newcomers to the city to be wary of fake immigration lawyers after a surge in complaints.
The organization says the share of complaints it receives about fraudulent immigration law practitioners has tripled in recent years, from 13% of total complaints in 2018 to 39% in 2022.
It launched an awareness campaign this week encouraging members of the public to check that their immigration lawyers are registered with the bar.
The president of the Montreal Bar, David Ettedgui, explains that many fake lawyers will meet victims in informal locations, exchange few documents and demand cash payments above normal rates.
He says that in many cases, fake lawyers are individuals who have been disbarred or are themselves immigrants authorized to practice law in their home country, but who are not certified in Quebec.
Me Ettedgui adds that there is no common profile for the victims, who come from various socio-economic backgrounds.
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