Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a stern warning to Canadians about a surge in marriage-based immigration fraud.

The alert comes as the federal government cuts permanent residency targets by more than 21 percent, dropping from 451,000 approvals in 2024 to 380,000 this year.

Officials are urging citizens to exercise caution when considering sponsoring foreign spouses, particularly in cases involving rushed engagements or individuals with multiple prior marriages.

The department has confirmed that officers are trained to detect fraudulent relationships through rigorous document verification and interviews, with violators facing potential criminal charges.

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