Vancouver (November 27, 2020) – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced that they laid fraud and forgery related charges against five people in connection with an alleged large-scale immigration fraud scheme. The agency’s so-called Project Husky determined that documents that appeared to be nomination certificates from the Government of Yukon issued under the Yukon Business Nominee Program, which were submitted as part of permanent residency applications between July 2013 and September 2016 were fake.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) showed up an alleged large-scale immigration fraud, according to a press release issued on November 26. They charged four Richmond residents and one former Government of Yukon employee, who is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant.
Project Husky – investigating an alleged large-scale immigration fraud scheme
The investigation began in 2015 after federal immigration officials identified suspicious documents submitted as part of permanent residency applications between July 2013 and September 2016. The documents appeared to be nominated certificates from the Government of Yukon issued under the Yukon Business Nominee Program, according to the agency. Throughout the five-year investigation, the Yukon government confirmed that the documents were fake.
‘Since the non-genuine documents were detected during the processing of applications, none of the applications to immigrate to Canada were approved,’ clarified the CBSA in their press release. ‘Therefore, no one obtained permanent resident status as a result of this alleged scheme.’
One Yukon and four Richmond residents charged
Throughout the probe, the CBSA Criminal Investigations Section executed numerous search warrants in British Columbia and Yukon related to the alleged immigration fraud. As a result, they charged five people with fraud and forgery related offenses:
- Ian David Young, 59, of Whitehorse, Yukon
- Tzu Chun Joyce Chang, 49, of Richmond, B.C.
- Qiong Joan Gu, 66, of Richmond, B.C.
- Aillison Shaunt Liu (also known as Allison Shaunt Liu), 31, of Richmond, B.C.
- Shouzhi Stanley Guo, 38, of Richmond, B.C.
Young, a former Government of Yukon employee, is currently wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant. All of the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty. They are scheduled to appear in Richmond Provincial Court on December 23.
‘Project Husky shut down a large-scale alleged immigration fraud scheme that impersonated a legitimate nominee program,’ said Nina Patel, Regional Director General for the Pacific Region of the CBSA ‘This investigation highlights the CBSA’s commitment to protecting Canadians and prospective immigrants from the threats posed by unlawful activities.’
The CBSA asked anyone with information on Young’s whereabouts to call the CBSA’s anonymous Border Watch Line by dialing 1-888-502-9060.
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