Toronto, Ontario, Canada: The Consulate General of India and Canadian authorities have issued a public advisory warning Indians residing in Canada about a rise in fraudulent phone calls targeting members of the Indian community.

According to officials, cyber fraudsters are impersonating consulate representatives and contacting individuals by phone. During these calls, scammers falsely claim that there are issues related to visa status, immigration records, or official documentation. Victims are often pressured to make immediate payments or update immigration-related documents to avoid penalties.

Authorities have also reported cases where fraudsters threaten individuals with deportation, delays in permanent residency processing, or complications related to employment opportunities. Officials emphasized that no government agency or consulate office requests money or sensitive information over the phone.

The advisory urges residents to remain cautious and avoid sharing personal information, passport details, banking credentials, OTPs, or other confidential data during unsolicited calls. Individuals are encouraged to verify any such communication through official government websites or by contacting the consulate directly.

The Canadian government and the Consulate General of India in Toronto have reiterated that messages containing threats such as “your visa will be cancelled,” “you must pay a fine immediately,” or “there is an immigration issue with your record” are common indicators of fraudulent activity.

Officials recommend immediately disconnecting suspicious calls, blocking the number, and reporting the incident to local law enforcement agencies or cybercrime authorities. With a large Indian population residing in Canada, authorities have cautioned that such scams could increase further and have urged the community to remain vigilant.