Omanghana
A Nigerian woman has gone viral on social media after revealing that she was handed a five-year ban from entering Canada, allegedly after a travel and relocation agency submitted fraudulent information during her visa application process without her knowledge.
The woman, who uses the Instagram handle @stezmall_unisex, shared an emotional video in which she broke down in tears after discovering the penalty on her Canadian immigration application, claiming she had been defrauded by the agency she hired to facilitate her relocation.
₦18 Million Paid for Relocation Process
According to her account, she paid approximately ₦18 million (about US$11,500) to a third-party travel agency to handle every aspect of her planned move to Canada.
The funds were reportedly intended to cover university admission, visa application processing, and other relocation-related expenses.
Believing the agency was managing the process professionally, she said she had little involvement in the application itself and relied on the representatives to submit the required documents on her behalf.
Alleged Fraud Discovered Through Immigration Portal
The woman said she only became aware of problems with her application after gaining direct access to her personal immigration portal.
Upon reviewing her file, she allegedly discovered that documents or information submitted in support of her application had been falsified without her authorization or knowledge.
The revelation came as a shock, particularly after Canadian immigration authorities determined that the application contained material misrepresentations.
Five-Year Ban for Misrepresentation
As a result, Canadian immigration authorities imposed a five-year inadmissibility ban for misrepresentation.
Under Canada’s immigration laws, applicants can face serious penalties if false, misleading, or fraudulent information is submitted as part of a visa or immigration application—even if the information is provided by a third-party representative acting on the applicant’s behalf.
The penalty bars affected individuals from applying for most Canadian immigration or temporary resident programs during the period of inadmissibility.
The woman maintains that she was unaware of the alleged fraudulent submissions and says she trusted the agency to complete the application honestly.
Emotional Appeal for Justice
In the widely circulated video, the distraught applicant appealed to the public for assistance in holding the agency accountable.
She said the incident not only destroyed her dream of relocating to Canada but also resulted in the loss of her life savings.
The emotional video has attracted thousands of reactions across social media platforms, with many users expressing sympathy over her ordeal and warning others against relying on unverified travel consultants.
Calls to Challenge the Decision
Following the viral post, numerous immigration advisers and social media users encouraged the woman to seek legal assistance and formally challenge the decision.
Several commenters recommended that she immediately contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and submit evidence demonstrating that she was the victim of fraud.
They also advised her to file a police report against the travel agency and provide any payment receipts, contracts, communications, and other documentation that could support her claim that the fraudulent information was submitted without her knowledge.
While there is no guarantee that the ban would be overturned, immigration experts noted that presenting credible evidence of fraud may prompt Canadian authorities to review the circumstances surrounding the case.
Warning to Prospective Immigration Applicants
The incident has reignited discussions about the growing number of fraudulent travel and relocation agencies targeting individuals seeking opportunities abroad.
Experts continue to urge prospective immigrants to work only with authorized immigration consultants or licensed legal representatives, verify every document before submission, and maintain direct access to their personal immigration accounts throughout the application process.
The case serves as a reminder that applicants remain legally responsible for the information submitted in their names, even when third-party agents are engaged to prepare and file immigration applications.
Source: Omanghana
