Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has warned prospective immigrants against fraudsters offering guaranteed immigration approvals, special selection schemes or faster processing in exchange for money.

The department issued the warning in an advisory posted on its X handle on Saturday, stressing that there is no immigration lottery, shortcut or secret programme that can guarantee selection to Canada.

IRCC also said no person or organisation has the authority to promise applicants expedited processing, priority treatment or approval of an immigration application.

The department urged applicants to obtain information about Canadian immigration programmes only through official Government of Canada channels.

It also advised people to be cautious of anyone demanding payment in exchange for a guaranteed outcome and warned applicants against making payments or sharing personal information except through official IRCC platforms.

According to IRCC, scammers often approach prospective applicants through social media, emails and telephone calls, claiming to have access to special immigration programmes or expedited services.

The department stressed that only authorised IRCC officers can make decisions on immigration applications, which are assessed based on established eligibility requirements.

IRCC advised applicants to verify immigration-related information through the official Canada.ca website and report suspicious offers.

The department cautioned that offers that appear unusually attractive or promise guaranteed results should be treated with suspicion.