Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The High Commission of India in Ottawa has issued a public advisory warning Indian nationals and individuals of Indian origin in Canada about a surge in scam and spoofed telephone calls, emails, and communications impersonating Indian diplomatic officials.
According to the advisory, these fraudulent communications often claim to involve issues related to Canadian visas, immigration status, job offers, or alleged criminal activities. The scammers demand payments or repayments of application fees and sometimes threaten individuals with legal action. Shockingly, some impostors have falsely presented themselves as officials from the High Commission of India, or from the Consulates General in Toronto or Vancouver.
The advisory further reveals that the scammers have also managed to spoof official telephone numbers, making the calls appear to originate from legitimate diplomatic offices. This has created confusion and fear among targeted individuals, as the calls seem credible due to their apparent origin.
The High Commission clarified that neither it nor the Consulates in Toronto or Vancouver handle such matters, and they do not make calls demanding payments or legal threats regarding visa or immigration issues.
Citizens are strongly urged to report such fraudulent communications to relevant law enforcement authorities. If the spoofed call appears to originate from India, victims are advised to file a complaint through the Government of India’s cybercrime portal: https://www.cybercrime.gov.in.
This advisory comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of technology for defrauding vulnerable communities, especially immigrants. The High Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting the interests of Indian nationals abroad and encouraged the public to remain vigilant and verify all official communications through trusted channels.
