CIFA - Canadian Immigration Lottery - "Questionable"

[poirot]

Version Francaise, cliquez ici (http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6372)

There is no Canadian equivalent to the U.S. Visa Lottery. However, there is a web site that bears the name CANADIANIMMIGRATIONLOTTERY.COM
It is owned by a private immigration consultant who has setup a lottery system for his services. His words: (http://canadianimmigrationlottery.com/program.php)
CIFA offers a unique chance for each and every individual to immigrate to Canada. There is no fee to participate in our financial assistance program; however, we require an official assessment of eligibility from the CIH. For 100$USD only, CIH consultants will perform an individual eligibility evaluation and qualified candidate will participate in 365 draws. You have the chance to win every day.

WINNING PRIZE
One (1) qualified skilled worker is selected randomly every day. If you are selected, you will have your Canadian Immigration process free of charge.
All consultant processing fees paid by Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance (CIFA) program
Government processing fees paid by Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance (CIFA) program
And visas fees will be paid by Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance (CIFA) program

In my opinion, this amounts to a game of chance and there are no mention of any regulatory body overseeing this lottery therefore one can assume anything as to it's legitimacy. I question the ethics of what amounts to a gambling bait targeting developing countries. Also, in Quebec where these people operate, all lotteries and draws are controlled by Loto-Québec and a permit is required. The permit number must be visible where the lottery is advertised. I see no such mention on this web site therefore the legality of this lottery may be in question.

Here are the related sites:

http://www.canadianimmigrationlottery.com
http://www.canadianimmigrationlottery.ca
http://www.canadianimmigrationhouse.com
http://www.canadianimmigrationfinancialassistance.com
http://www.c-ifa.com
http://www.cifa.cc

After many complaint and questionable behavior of immigration consultants, In 2004 the Canadian Government passed an amendment (http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partII/2004/20040414-x/html/sor59-e.html) to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations which resulted in a code of conduct from the regulatory body for immigration consultants.
The CSIC's Guidelines for Advertising, Solicitation and Making Services (http://csic-scci.ca/adguidelines.html) Available states that members may not:
(e) include testimonials or any other comparative or superlative statements.

The owner, Ehab Lotfi , or "Dr. Ehab Lotfi, Ph.D., C. Adm." (http://www.canadianimmigrationhouse.com/who.php) as he list himself, is a member CSIC. His Canadian Immigration Lottery web site has a full page of testimonials (http://canadianimmigrationlottery.com/testimonials.php) which appears to be a breach of CSIC's Guidelines.

Apparently, I'm not alone in thinking that this lottery is a deplorable way of targeting vulnerable people, and it does a disservice to CSIC and the profession of immigration consultants in general. The Canadian magazine MacLean published an article on February 13, 2006 on Ehab Lotfi and his lottery.

At that time, the lottery had been running 13 months and Ehab Lotfi had collected in excess of 10,000 fees of $100, an approximate total of $1.14 million, had 400 "winners" of his lottery, and yet not a single one had yet succeeded to immigrate to Canada.

*Here is the online MacLean Magazine article by Michael Friscolanti:
*Actual article available here: http://www.macleans.ca/canada/national/article.jsp?content=20060213_121418_121418

February 13, 2006

Imagine the freedom, for only $100

An online immigration lottery is creating a sense of hope for many wannabe Canadians -- and a fair bit of controversy

MICHAEL FRISCOLANTI

Today, a new headshot will appear on the bottom corner of the website, right underneath the "Winners" logo. Tomorrow, another photo -- another lucky contestant -- will take its place. Same thing the next day. And the next. And the next. It has been unfolding this way for more than a year now, a daily rotation of blank stares from across the globe. "Welcome to the Canadian Immigration Lottery," the home page says. "Join us and let your dreams become true."

The dream, of course, is a chance to live here, in a "peaceful nation" where health care is free, the scenery is "spectacular," and democracy reigns. "Elections are held every four years," the website boasts. Since its launch 13 months ago, thousands of hopeful foreigners -- from Kenya to China to New York state -- have bet their futures on www.canadianimmigrationlottery.com. To date, more than 10,000 people have paid US$100 for the chance to see their mug shots posted on the site. For nearly 400 of those entrants, the gamble has paid off. "You can't imagine how much you put delight to my heart and my life," one winner wrote. "I love you all."

The man on the receiving end of all the love is Ehab Lotfi, an Egyptian-born Canadian who works as an immigration consultant in Montreal. His company, Canadian Immigration House, is the driving force behind the site. "A lot of people -- poor people -- they have very good education and they don't have a chance to come to Canada," he says. "This is a fair and equal chance for everyone." The concept seems simple enough: for that $100 fee, Lotfi's staff will give your file a once-over to see which of Canada's numerous immigration programs -- "skilled worker," for example, or "entrepreneur" -- you might qualify for. If you make the grade, the company enters your file number into a computer that generates a random winner every day. The grand prize? An all-expenses-paid application to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, which, depending on the size of a person's family and the complexity of his paperwork, could be worth a few thousand dollars. "I am helping people," Lotfi says. "You cannot imagine the quality of the people we get from this program."

Quality is not quite the word everyone would use to describe his site. "It's scary," says Benjamin Trister, a prominent Toronto attorney and former chair of the Canadian Bar Association's immigration law section. "The implication is that people might read it and think that there is actually a lottery to get into Canada." There is not. The U.S. State Department operates such a system, handing out visas to 55,000 select winners every year. But in Canada, every aspiring immigrant is treated the same. No shortcuts. "It is a misleading come-on," says David Matas, a Winnipeg-based immigration lawyer. "For people who are not familiar with the difference in the two systems and just saw the title, they might think that there is a Canadian government immigration lottery."

The title is not the only red flag. The entire website is filled with enticing, albeit questionable, language . "Your unique getaway to Canada." University education "is very much subsidized by the government." The lottery program is "sponsored by official departments." Nowhere, by the way, does it mention the most obvious fact: that the winners' prizes, and the company's cut, are bankrolled on the backs of the many, many losers. In theory, any professional -- a brain surgeon, perhaps -- could run a similar scheme. But they don't. In Matas's opinion, "it's a very unprofessional way of offering professional services. It demeans the profession."

Two years ago, Denis Coderre, then the minister of citizenship, announced a crackdown on immigration consultants, saying the trade is rife with "vultures" who prey on the naive and the desperate. The result was the creation of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, a group that licenses its own. Members must follow certain ethical guidelines, and as of now, the government only deals with consultants certified by CSIC. Ehab Lotfi is one of them.

Patrice Brunet, a spokesman for the society, said he was unaware of the lottery web page until a phone call from Maclean's last week. An investigation is now under way. "What I can say at this point is that this website needs to be researched," Brunet says. "We need to look at the language being used, and whether or not it is creating illegitimate expectations to the public."

Lotfi is shocked that anyone would question his ethics. "Maybe they're jealous," he says of his detractors. "I don't know. I don't have any complaints from my clients." In fact, Lotfi goes so far as to insist that the Canadian Immigration Lottery is not a lottery at all. "It's a marketing tool," he says, a catchy domain name meant to grab the attention of people trolling the Internet for information about the American visa lottery. But the connection ends there, he says. Everyone who pays their $100 knows exactly what they are buying: a chance to win a free, professionally crafted application. No false promises. No guarantees. "It's misleading if I'm not explaining the rules exactly," he says. "But the rules are explained clearly and when you read it carefully, you understand."

What's not as clear is Lotfi's profit margin. At US$100 a pop, his 10,000 applicants have forked over, at the very least, a combined $1 million (or approximately C$1.14 million). Divide that between the lottery's 400 or so winners, and it equals $2,850 per client -- more than enough to cover a person's $550 visa application and $975 right of permanent residence fee. Lotfi does point out that some of his clients have spouses (an additional $550 processing fee) and dependent children ($150 each), but in the end, he and his associates are still poised to pocket a substantial share. "We don't cheat anybody," he says. "I'm running a business. It's not a one-way business. It's two-way. The client, he has benefit. We have benefit also."

Don't forget, Lotfi says, that every applicant receives an assessment in exchange for their $100. If a person decides to go it alone, pay all the necessary government processing fees, and is later rejected by the government, the sale is final. Better to lose $100, he says, than $1,000. Perhaps, but it remains to be seen whether any of the lottery winners actually claim the ultimate prize. Not a single one has arrived in Canada yet.

[poirot]

Loto-Québec has informed us that lotteries are regulated by the Régie des Alcools Courses et Jeux (RACJ) . They in turn have confirmed that canadianimmigrationlottery.com does not have a licence to operate a lottery in Québec.

Furthermore, a new logo on canadianimmigrationlottery.com is now claiming to be a "Non-profit Organization"
http://www.canadianimmigrationlottery.com/images/cifa_logo.gif
That's a bit much considering that Lofti himself has publicly stated
"Maybe they're jealous," "I don't know. I don't have any complaints from my clients."
to MacLean Magazine who published a probable accumulated revenue of C$1.14 million as of February 13, 2006 .

[poirot]

www.c-ifa.com
www.cifa.cc
www.canadianimmigrationlottery.com
www.canadianimmigrationlottery.ca
www.canadianimmigrationhouse.com
www.canadianimmgrationfinancialassistance.com

All these sites now appear to have been removed.

[poirot]

From a second MacLean's Magazine article dated Dec 11, 2006, entitled "A controversial site for immigrants changes its name, but not its tactics" (http://www.macleans.ca/canada/national/article.jsp?content=20061211_137774_137774),
After nearly two years in business, Lotfi has also opted for a new name. "Welcome to the Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance website," the home page now reads.

This change in the presentation's wording was apparently done in the hope of appeasing regulators who had been investigating the "lottery".

The article further states:
Some consider the site a scam meant to trick naive applicants into believing they can actually win a life in Canada -- which, of course, they can't. The lottery offers free paperwork, but that certainly doesn't guarantee the government will rubber-stamp it. The website also fails to mention another fact: the winners' prizes, and the company's cut, are bankrolled on the backs of the many, many losers.

" Lotfi now insists his lottery was never a lottery at all. It was a "marketing tool," and anyone who reads the rules knows exactly what the grand prize is: paperwork, not paradise.

A post on a Sudanese forum (http://www.omdur.com/board//showthread.php?t=8101) dated two months later, February 7, 2007 seems to contradict this by using the description "FREE immigration to Canada".
February 7, 2007

Dear xxxx xxxxx,

CIL/CIFA ref #: xxxxxxx

Phone #: xxxxxxxxxx

We are pleased to inform you that we received the application that you have submitted to Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance on the Jan 26, 2005.

Now, you can apply through the CIFA (Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance) program which randomly selects one of the eligible candidate's everyday for FREE immigration to Canada . CIFA will pay all the government processing fees, landing fee and consultancy fee for you and your family.

As you know, CIFA is a non profit organization sponsored by Canadian and international organizations as a means to ensure a sufficient workforce in Canada over the next few years.

As par Statistics Canada says, “Beginning in 2010, the proportion of the population in the age group 65 and over will expand rapidly, reinforced by a low birth rate and longer life expectancy.�http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/Products/Analytic/companion/paid/canada.cfm#5

For seven consecutive years the United Nations has ranked Canada as the number one country in the world.

Canada offers:

Great employment opportunities

One of the best education system in the world

A high standard of living

A low crime rate and an increased quality of life

A brighter future for you children

In order to enter through the CIFA program you have to get an official assessment from CIH as it is required as a proof of eligibility which will be valid for 365 days.

If you would like to proceed directly with CIH to apply for your Canadian Immigration, you can contact CIH for more details.



To get your official assessment, a payment of 100$USD is required as it is spent on the assessment of your file.



Payment options:


Western Union (Payable to: Ehab Lotfi) for location near you please visit www.westernunion.com

Moneygram (Payable to: Ehab Lotfi) for location near you please visit www.moneygram.com
Paypal online at: http://www.canadianimmigrationlottery.com/help_easy.php
Bank draft drawn on Canadian or American bank
Post mandatory
Money order


Payable to:
Ehab Lotfi
Canadian Immigration House
1 Westmount Square
Suite 1350 Westmount
Quebec Canada , H3Z 2P9


No cash or bank transfer are accepted


I hope I answered all your questions and if you have any more questions do not hesitate to ask. I am looking forward to hearing from you.


Best Regards,

Fady Girgis

CIFA administrator

fady@cifa.cc


On April 4th, 2007, they organized a press conference (http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/March2007/29/c7839.html?view=print) to announce the first arrival of a candidate to Canada.
On the occasion of the arrival of our first candidate in Canada, selected
within the cadre of the financial assistance offered by CIFA, a press
conference will take place at Club Saint James...

This scheme had been going for well over two years and based on the details of the MacLean article, after more than 20,000 people paid $100 each, it appears that a SINGLE successfull participant is the subject of this news conference.

In my opinion, this statement is also deceptive:
CIFA is a non profit organization sponsored by Canadian and international organizations as a means to ensure a sufficient workforce in Canada over the next few years.

[poirot]

The news conference in question did happen although I can't find any trace of media reports.
However, prior to the site being removed, according to Google cache (http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:zWujRGlQ8CoJ:www.canadianimmigrationlottery.c om/news.php+%22Maurice+Brossard%22+CIFA&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=ca&client=firefox-a) canadianimmigrationlottery.com had the following mention:

Mr. Ngantcha Alain Claude from Cameroon, the first successfull immigrant of CIFA to Canada.

This confirms that in two years, only one person successfully immigrated from the nearly 800 "winners" of this lottery scheme.

There is also this mention:
Mr. Maurice Brossard, candidate of Conservative Party of Canada delivering his speech as a special guest.

and CIFA has apparently placed the video of that news conference on youtube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RqkKPIxhvFE

[poirot]

They registered a new domain name six days ago: www.cifacanada.org
http://www.cifacanada.org/images/cifa_logo.gif
Domain Name: CIFACANADA.ORG
Created On:11-May-2007 19:48:54 UTC
Last Updated On:11-May-2007 19:48:55 UTC
Expiration Date:11-May-2008 19:48:54 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:Melbourne IT, Ltd. dba Internet Names Worldwide (R52-LROR)
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status:TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Registrant ID: D11789129333391
Registrant Name:CIFA
Registrant Organization:CIFA
Registrant Street1:1 Westmount Sqr Suite 1350
Registrant Street2:
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:Westmount
Registrant State/Province:QC
Registrant Postal Code:H3Z2P9
Registrant Country:CA
Registrant Phone:+1.5144480515
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:+1.5142821773
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email:fady_g @sympatico.ca
Admin ID: D117890488360897
Admin Name:Fady Girgis
Admin Organization:CIFA
Admin Street1:1 Westmount Sqr Suite 1350
Admin Street2:
Admin Street3:
Admin City:Westmount
Admin State/Province:QC
Admin Postal Code:H3Z2P9
Admin Country:CA
Admin Phone:+1.5144480515
Admin Phone Ext.:
Admin FAX:+1.5142821773
Admin FAX Ext.:

They have setup their old domain cifa.cc to redirect to the new one.

They state under their disclaimer: (http://www.cifacanada.org/disclaimer.php)
Our program is not a lottery, it is a financial assistance program offered by non-profit organizations.

but still use the term: "WINNERS PRIZE" "30 winners every Month" (http://www.cifacanada.org)

The new domain name only increases the misleading assumption that this is a Canadian government site.

CIFA may perhaps have been setup as a "non-profit" organization, but it's an integral part of this scheme including Lotfi and his Canadian Immigration House and canadianimmigrationlottery.com which according to MacLean is a very profitable endeavor. Scheme seems to be the right description when we consider their payment request on the Sudan forum:
Western Union (Payable to: Ehab Lotfi) for location near you please visit www.westernunion.com

Moneygram (Payable to: Ehab Lotfi) for location near you please visit www.moneygram.com

[poirot]

What I find surprising is that this new domain cifacanada.org supposedly belongs to CIFA, the non-profit organization, and yet on their site, under "Requirements" they have posted the following:
Western Union (Payable to : Ehab Lotfi) to find a location near you, visit : www.westernunion.com
Moneygram (Payable to : Ehab Lotfi) to find a location near you, visit : www.moneygram.com
Paypal online http://www.cifa.cc/help_easy.php
Bank draft drawn on Canadian or American bank
Post mandatory
Money order
Payable to :
Canadian Immigration House
1 Westmount Square
Suite 1350 Westmount
Quebec Canada, H3Z 2P9

which begs the questions.

- Why are cash transfers via Western Union and Money Gram which have little or no records, requested to be made to an individual, but other payment methods are to Canadian Immigration House?

- How can a non-profit organization (CIFA) allow some for-profit entity (CIH) to place an ad requesting money on their web site?

CIFA randomly selects a minimum of one (1) qualified skilled worker every day

There are no indications anywhere on how this draw operates. Is it computerized or are names picket out of a hat? What authority is overseeing this draw to assure it's honesty? How can anyone be certain that cheating does not occur considering other questionable points as mentioned above? Those are reasons lotteries are usually regulated.

The whole profitable scheme as it is, using a random draw as a promotional bait on unsuspecting and largely uninformed third world citizens who dream of immigrating to Canada is deplorable at best, and in my opinion, despicable.

[poirot]

A post on a French student forum (http://www.jetaide.com/read/f49/i24t24/desire-immigrer-caenada-usa.htm) was asking on information about immigrating to Canada. Here is the reply:
immigrant
---.canadianimmigrat
16-02-2007 11:23

Tu trouveras toute l'information que tu recherche sur ces sites

J'ai pu immigrer au Canada grâce ÃÂ* ces deux sites. Ils sont remplis d'informations pertinentes.

https://www.canadianimmigrationlottery.com

http://www.canadianimmigrationhouse.com

=)

Translation:


immigrant <--username
---.canadianimmigrat <--originating server (abbreviated)
16-02-2007 11:23
You will find all information you are looking for on those sites
I was able to immigrate to Canada thanks to those two sites. They are full of pertinent information.
https://www.canadianimmigrationlottery.com
http://www.canadianimmigrationhouse.com


The problem for that poster using the name "Immigrant" is that the forum indicates the originating server, and we can clearly see that this post was placed from the server of either canadianimmigrationlottery.com or canadianimmigrationhouse.com. A misleading post from the folks that oversee the random draw that picks the winners. Furthermore, from the information we have, no one from that program had successfully immigrated as of the date of that post.

They also have sent spam in the past which got their domain email address banned (http://www.joewein.de/sw/dbl-update/2006-05-08.htm)by some servers.

[mimmie]

am afraid am one of the winner of canadian immigration lottery, i was told is only a permanent resident visa programe not sponsor by canadian government.now i have sent all mt original document to them ...what do you think i can do are they fraudlent.
yours
kunle owolabi
*Removed by the moderator
nigeria

[poirot]

Hi Mimie and welcome to Fraudwatchers.

My objection is their use of a lottery as a bait for three years now, on some of the poorest people, but since CIFA operates legaly in Canada, there shouldn't be any problems with your documents.

The Lottery site www.canadianimmigrationlottery.com appears to have been moved to their new domain cifacanada, and canadianimmigrationhouse.com is now back online. This manoeuvre seems to be to distance themselves from the "lottery" aspect of the scheme, considering they are not licence to operate a lottery.

Here is what was posted on their site in May 2004 according to the web archives (http://web.archive.org/web/20040529014658/www.canadianimmigrationlottery.com/main.htm)
Applicants selection for our program are chosen through a randomly computer-generated lottery ticket.

Add to that the fact that payments are made to Canadian Immigration House, or directly to Lofti if by Western Union, and he or/and CIH sponsors CIFA, the latter having been setup as a non-profit organisation.

Also, considering that the chances of immigrating to Canada using this system are extremely slim juging from the numbers I've seen, I don't think that there's much value for the services received for $100.

[poirot]

i was told is only a permanent resident visa programe not sponsor by canadian government.

I'll just add that Canadian immigration consultants are never sponsored by the Canadian government even though many may use domain names that sound governemental, and give their web sites an appearance to be an official Canadian government site.

Also, they have no influence whatsoever on the processing of your application by Immigration Canada and therefore cannot speed up the process.

[Sadi]

What then is the function of the so many immigration consultants licensed by CSIC if they have absolutely no influence on the outcome of an immigration application?

[Sadi]

Are we saying here that CIFA is a scam because it takes money from people who presumably don't understand what they are paying for? What if an individual understands exactly what he is paying for and that his/her chances of actually immigrating are very slim, would you consider that the individual has been scammed so to speak?

[poirot]

People know they are paying for, a chance to win a draw, this use a game of chance, call it a lottery or any other name, as a bait and that's what I think is unethical.

I doubt very much if applicants know that their $100 will give them that slim of a chance to succeed. We know that it has been operating for three years x365 = over a thousand winners, and a single successful immigrant.

Judging from the many testimonials, the majority are elated that they have won the "Canadian Immigration Lottery", similarly in reaction to the winners of the legitimate U.S. Visa Lottery. Part of the reason is the promotion over those 3 years.

Just a few months ago, they where using this misleading statement on a Sudanese forum:
Now, you can apply through the CIFA (Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance) program which randomly selects one of the eligible candidate's everyday for FREE immigration to Canada .

The name CIFA (Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance) gives the impression to a lot if not most readers in the third world that it's a Canadian government organization, and they clearly imply that the daily winner gets "FREE immigration to Canada". Period. Some people might consider such misleading tactics somewhat of a scam.

Wether it's legally considered a lottery or not will determined if it risks being shut down since they don't have a licence to operate a lottery. The risk is there.

Immigration consultant can make it easier for people who have difficulties with the immigration procedure, but they have absolutely no influence on Immigration Canada and cannot speed their processing of the application or improve the chance that they will rule in your favor.

The reason CSIC was introduced as mandatory for all Canadian immigration consultant was exactly because there where so many problems with unethical practices. "The trade is rife with "vultures" to quote the minister responsible at the time. There are still questionable practices and though I'm sure CSIC is trying to improve the practices and also the image of the profession, there's still work to do in my opinion.

[FW Admin]

There is a response on the website at this URL: http://www.cifacanada.org/news.php regarding the series of posts given here. I will reproduce it in case that site too, disappears for some reason. I find it odd that this person is aware of the forum here, but has not had the courage to register here and rebut or question the information in these posts. I invite you, the author of the response reprinted below, to do so forthwith.

Answer to Fraudwatcher July 13 , 2007

According to the dictionary, the term “fraud” means to cause “intentional deception resulting in injury to another, as when a person makes false statements, conceals or omits material facts.” Fraudwatchers deems Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance (CIFA) to be categorized under this term. When, in fact, CIFA is the complete opposite of this accusation.

CIFA is a non-profit organization designed by qualified licensed immigration consultants. It is registered under part 3 of the Quebec Corporation Acts for non-profit organizations. CIFA’s objectives are to provide financial aid to those qualified candidates who wish to immigrate to Canada for free; all while helping qualified skilled workers integrate into Canada.

It is sponsored by; Canadian corporations, non profitable organizations, Canadian business associations, recognized organization, professional association, international organization and Canadian immigration firms. And, the consultants work overtime to make sure that your dream of becoming a Canadian citizen comes true.

CIFA does not mislead the potential candidates in any way, and it does not make false statements. The organization offers a chance (at being selected)to every individual who subscribes in this program. CIFA has also emphasized that there is no fee to participate in the financial assistance program; however, the subscribers must obtain an official evaluation from the Canadian Immigration House. The CIH consultants will perform an individual eligibility evaluation and qualified candidates will partake in 365 draws.

Thus, applicants are made aware that this is a draw, and like all draws the contender has an opportunity to be selected.

After the selection, CIFA will prepare and process your immigration file free of charge. CIFA will hire a certified immigration consultant SICC member to process your file, and pay all the costs including the government processing fees and the right of landing fees.

This letter was written in order to put to rest any skepticism that occurred due to fraudwatchers attack on CIFA. Nevertheless, it’s interesting to see how a website dedicated to protecting consumer fraud would, in their disclaimer, not claim to the accuracy or authenticity of the content displayed on their website. If an organization’s goal is to provide help to those who have fallen victim to fraud, shouldn’t they at least guarantee the “accuracy and authenticity” of the content displayed on their website?

In my opinion, fraudwatchers is not a reliable source for accurate information, and this is demonstrated by the mere fact that they refuse to be held liable for any information used or stated on their website. They also reject any postings that are contrary to what they advertise, which only adds to my theory that their aim is to drain successful companies. At CIFA, we are more than glad to provide our contact information to the public; this includes email, phone number and office address. However, fraudwatchers sole form of contact information is an email address. Thus, the legitimacy of the website can be questioned.

In conclusion, fraudwatchers is not a credible website, it contains non-reliable information, refuses to be held responsible for the accuracy of its information, the site misleads consumers, and they refuse to post statements that are contrary to their accusations. CIFA has been in operation for 3 years now, and yet not one single complaint has been filed. Our subscribers are very satisfied with the assistance we provide; clearly represented by the testimonials left on our web site.
I find it strangely comforting that people who, at best, have displayed shadiness in their business dealings and, at worst, are downright scammers and thieves, have always described this site (and indeed other anti-fraud sites who have "dared" to expose them) as being "not a reliable source" and "is not a credible website". Isn't it odd that several thousand people disagree with this on both counts?

And isn't it also strange that the author of the above response has not addressed any of the main issues that have been raised in the posts in this forum?

As far as disclaimers go... have you read theirs at http://www.cifacanada.org/disclaimer.php?


CIFA is non-profit organization registered according to part 3 of the Quebec Corporation Acts for non-profit organization.

All our consultants are licensed members of the Canadian Society of Immigration consultants (CSIC).

Our certified consultants offer the most professional services and more than ready to assist all candidates in their endeavors.

Participation in the financial program is FREE, but CIH charges a fee for its consulting services.
Our program is not a lottery, it is a financial assistance program offered by non-profit organizations.
The payment for consultancy fee is non-refundable. You will not be able to claim a refund for the fees paid for the evaluation of your application.

We are committed to protect your privacy. We use the information collected in this website only to evaluate and process your application. We do not forward, sell, trade, or rent your personal information to others.

We understand that applying for the Financial Assistance program using our services involves a great deal of trust on your part; we take this trust very seriously, and make it our highest priority to ensure the security and confidentiality of the personally identifiable information you provide us.

We only collect information needed for immigration purposes that you voluntarily provide to us. We use this information for the purpose of responding to and fulfilling your request for our services.

I agree to pay CIH for professional fee related to the evaluation of my immigration preliminary application.

I acknowledge that all the information given to CIFA is true. I am responsible for any wrong information submitted to CIFA.

I understand that I have to satisfy the Canadian Immigration officer during the interview (if applicable). After winning, CIFA will prepare and process your immigration file free of charge. CIFA will hire a certified immigration consultant SICC member to process your file, and pay all the costs including the government processing fees.

I understand that I cannot claim a refund for consultancy fees, paid for the evaluation of my application.
Does this make sense to anyone? Surely your own "professional" advisors would be able to tell you what makes a disclaimer, and provide one that is sufficiently clear for you to use on your own website?


And as for contacting them... so much for a professional charity with (as is legally required) a physical office presence: (http://www.cifacanada.org/contactus.php)

Due to the high volume of communications, we can not answers the phone, to better serving our clients and to keep records

We suggest you to e-mil (sic) your questions

For question regarding a payment or to report a payment already made please contact payment@canadianimmigrationhouse.com

For question about your official assessment please contact evaluation@canadianimmigrationhouse.com

If you are a winner and need more information about your file please contact winners@cifacanada.org

If your profile has expired or you would like to ask for an extension please contact clientcare@cifacanada.org

For other questions please contact questions@cifacanada.org
This is your idea of professional ??!? :no:

Finally you state:
...and this is demonstrated by the mere fact that they refuse to be held liable for any information used or stated on their website...Give me the names of your lawyers in Canada (by private message if need be) and I will give them the names of the lawyers that act on behalf of FraudWatchers. If you have a legal problem with what is on here, just say so. Disclaimers are there for a reason, and not (as in your case) to fill out the pages of a web site with gibberish that doesn't make sense.

[FW Admin]

Oh and one other thing: the "Easy Pay" - Apply Now link on your website links to this URL:

https://www.canadianimmigrationlottery.com/cifa_form01.php

... a domain/site that has been suspended/taken offline in May of this year (yet you still have a link to it??)

[poirot]

I'll let my posts speak for themselves and people will make their judgment accordingly. That includes the various links to back up my statements.

For those who are not familiar with MacLeans Magazine, it's often referred to as Canada's version of Newsweek.Very reputable with a staff of award winning writers.

The second MacLeans article on the subject entitled "Losing the lottery - A controversial site for immigrants changes its name, but not its tactics" (http://www.macleans.ca/canada/national/article.jsp?content=20061211_137774_137774)
After nearly two years in business, Lotfi has also opted for a new name. "Welcome to the Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance web site," the home page now reads.

Not quite as catchy, but the modification might be just enough to appease industry regulators, who have spent the past few months investigating Lotfi's so-called lottery.

The article in which Ehab Lotfi states:
So why change the name? "That is my business," he answers. "I don't need that name." Lotfi now insists his lottery was never a lottery at all. It was a "marketing tool,"

and the article continues:
That's right. It is called the Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance program -- not the Canadian Immigration Lottery. And if you don't believe him, check out the web site for yourself. The address is www.canadianimmigrationlottery.com.

And now in this attack on Fraudwatchers, it is stated:
Thus, applicants are made aware that this is a draw, and like all draws the contender has an opportunity to be selected.

So it was a lottery and you called it a lottery until pressure caused you to refer to it as a marketing tool which it turns out is a draw that looks a lot like a lottery. Some people would consider this "shifty".

My statement was not that CIFA was not registered or licensed, but rather that the whole package (CIFA - CIH - CIL etc..,) setup by Lotfi using a lottery system on third world citizen dreaming of immigrating to Canada was unethical and despicable in my opinion. It's an opinion that’s in line with others such as the Winnipeg immigration lawyer who stated in the first MacLeans article regarding your program: "It is a misleading come-on," ...."It demeans the profession." (http://www.macleans.ca/canada/national/article.jsp?content=20060213_121418_121418)

Perhaps CIFA should have its lawyers contact MacLeans Magazine if they feel their article was inaccurate.

And then there’s the efficacy of this dubious non-lottery marketing lottery-like draw, with a single successful immigrant in three years, a biologist it turns out, which is the type of qualifications that are more likely to succeed in the first place.

Most laughable is this false statement from http://www.cifacanada.org/news.php regarding Fraudwatchers:
They also reject any postings that are contrary to what they advertise, which only adds to my theory that their aim is to drain successful companies.

Also on their site:
In order to provide more help to our new comer to Canada, we asked Citizenship and Immigration Canada to support our program. We recently got an answer from the Director General Rose Kattackal Click here to read the letter (http://www.cifacanada.org/images/letter.html)

This implies that CIFA received support from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, but reading the letter reveals nothing of the sort. It merely describe in general terms the importance of integration and settlement programs for new immigrants such as ISAP, LINC, RAP which are all government sponsored programs.

While the dictionary is still out, perhaps they should look up the definition of "ethical".

[FW Admin]

The problem with making inaccurate statements (such as CIFA has made in the above quote) is that they are just that: inaccurate, false and designed to deceive and mislead. They said:
They also reject any postings that are contrary to what they advertise, which only adds to my theory that their aim is to drain successful companies.Which of course would hold even a little weight had the author of the article tried to a) post and/or b) send us a comment via the contact us form. I would also be interested in knowing exactly it is that we "advertise" (apart from exposing scammers and criminals)...

He/she has done neither; hence the inaccuracy of the statement. Criminals use this tactic often, to try and discredit and to make their scams seem more legitimate and believable. They cannot, however, afford to become embroiled within a discussion (such as would result by a post here on a forum) since this would place their (possibly) legally bordeline activities under the spotlight, and highlight the ethical, moral and legal issues that are so obviously inherent in their "business activities".

Someone famous once said something like "Fraud cannot abide scrutiny; legitimacy invites it."

Go figure.

[Cifa fraud victim]

I opened a new website for the victims of Mr. Ehab Lotfi.
www.cifafraud.com

[Michline]

am afraid am one of the winner of canadian immigration lottery, i was told is only a permanent resident visa programe not sponsor by canadian government.now i have sent all mt original document to them ...what do you think i can do are they fraudlent.
yours
kunle owolabi
*Removed by the moderator
nigeria

Did you ask fr our dcment and they didn't send it back to yuo? did you reed curfuly " do not send original"

[poirot]

CIFA - Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance http://www.cifacanada.org and CIH - Canadian Immigration House http://www.canadianimmigrationhouse.com are not the only dubious, misleading and unethical Canadian Immigration Consultants. I recommend to anyone who intends to contact a Canadian Immigration Consultant, to first read the following article: http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/view.php?pg=fw_canimm_eng

[vincebucci]

Dear readers,

I’m writing to you in effort to clear up any misconception that Fraudwatchers.com might have on cifacanada.org. To start off, Cifa Canada is a non-profit organization that picks one qualified applicant a day as a winner to be granted free immigration processing to Canada. The qualified winner wins free immigration processing not only for himself but for his family as well.

Being a nonprofit organization, we cannot afford to assess and validate all of our applicant’s files. CIH, Canadian Immigration House who was founded by Dr. Ehab Lotfy, our most important sponsor, takes care of assessing most of our applicant’s files. Not everyone can qualify to immigrate to Canada, an applicant’s evaluation must therefore be processed, CIH will charge you a onetime fee of $100 USD for that service. That service and fee is completely unrelated to Cifa Canada. Cifa never did and never will request payments from its applicant. Our service is completely free, however to become a qualified applicant and participate in the daily draw, the proper paperwork and evaluation must be done.

Readers, please rest assured that our organization is legit and our daily draws are computer generated and randomly selected. We do not practice at all any fraudulent activity nor do we manipulate the winners, like some people have stated. We are simply a young organization, ran by immigrants and children of immigrants who understand the importance of Canadian immigration, and most of all, the impact that qualified immigrant will have in the continuous growth and prosperity of our beautiful Canadian nation.
With this said I hope that I have cleared up most of your concerns and inflicted some confidence and support into our organization. Despite the fact that most of the comments provided by Fraudwatches.com have been negative, I would still like to thank Fraudwatchers.com for the interest in our organization. I was once told that even bad publicity is better than no publicity at all. So thank you for your help and interest in us.

For more information on our program and our organization do not hesitate to please visit our web site, http://www.cifacanada.org.

For comments or any general information, please contact me directly at mitch@cifacanada.ca, it’s my pleasure to answer any other concern that I may have not addressed.

Sincerely,
Mitchell L. Dias

[poirot]

You confirm that Ehab Lotfi is your main sponsor. Your site doesn't mention this. Instead, it has this misleading statement:
The Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance is sponsored by Canadian corporations, non profitable organizations, Canadian business associations, recognized organization, professional association, international organization and Canadian immigration firms to help qualified skilled workers in effort to help them immigrate to Canada for free.

Let's not forget that CIFA's daily draw was originally started as Ehab Lotfi's immigration lottery (his own word at the time) until complaints and bad press apparently convinced him to alter this immigration scheme. And CIFA was created.

From cifacanada.org (http://cifacanada.org/green_card_green_card.html)
CIFA offers a unique chance for each and every individual to immigrate to Canada. There is no fee to participate in our financial assistance program; however, we require an official assessment of eligibility from the CIH. For 100$USD only, CIH consultants will perform an individual eligibility evaluation and qualified candidate will participate in 365 draws. You have the chance to win every day.

The same CIFA who posted on their web site:
Western Union (Payable to : Ehab Lotfi)

It leaves little doubts that CIFA's feeds it's applicants exclusively to Ehab Lotfi (CIH).

CIFA acts as a supplier of customers to Ehab Lotfi and who in turns supports CIFA. Some would call such a relation incestueous. Others might consider CIFA's daily draw a bait setup specifically to atract $100 fees for Lotfi. Whatever you wish to call it, customers at $100 a pop have been bountiful to Lotfi (CIH).

The web archives indicates that Ehab Lotfi's immigration lottery started in May 2004. According to the MacLean Magazine (http://www.macleans.ca/canada/national/article.jsp?content=20060213_121418_121418) article - February 13, 2006:
To date, more than 10,000 people have paid US$100 for the chance to see their mug shots posted on the site. For nearly 400 of those entrants, the gamble has paid off.

So in 21 months, Ehab Lotfi had already collected 10,000 x $100 = $1 million. Based on those numbers to the present assuming no increases in the rate of applicants, the total to date would be over 28,000 x $100 = $2.8 million
And the number of "winners" would be well over 1800, not even counting the occasional bonus draws of 50 in a single day.

Putting aside the blatant lack of ethics (my personal opinion) of using a game of chance, draw/lottery by any other name, not to mention misleading statements of this whole immigration scheme on an unsuspecting populace often in third world countries, potential applicants should at least consider the following.

With this dubious immigration scheme running for 5 years now, and with many thousands of people having paid $100, with over 1800 so-called winners (their term), according to the information available, the success rate is a grand total of one single immigrant to Canada. And it turns out, a highly qualified scientist, therefore much more likely to succeed in any case.

It begs the question. Had these 1800+ applicants applied themselves directly to Citizenship & Immigration Canada since all forms are free and available online, would their success rate have been better than 1/1800?

That's a question worth thinking about. Applicants can read this entire thread and make their own evaluation.

[Justice2]

I opened a new website for the victims of Mr. Ehab Lotfi.
www.cifafraud.com

Your site doesn't work.:(

[poirot]

Ehab lotfi is up to his old tricks. He has created a new web site: http://canadagreencard.org

From the entry page.
http://canadagreencard.org
CIFA Canada
4060 Ste-Catherine W, Suite 500 Montreal, Québec H3Z 2Z3 Canada
For question about your official assessment: evaluation@canadianimmigrationhouse.com
If you are a winner and need more information about your file:
winners@cifacanada.ca
If your profile has expired or you would like to ask for an extension:
clientcare@cifacanada.ca
For any other questions or general information:
info@cifacanada.ca
1 (514) 545-8788
1 (617) 297-CIFA
55 (13) 3113-CIFA
44 (113) 815-CIFA
56 (57) 36-CIFA
52 (33) 8421-CIFA
48 (12) 361-CIFA-4
372 71-CIFA-4
81 (50) 553-CIFA-5

Welcome to the Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance Agency
The Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance is a non-profit organization willing to pay for your dream to immigrate to Canada.
Join Canada Immigration Financial Assistance and let your dreams come true!
FREE TO PARTICIPATE!
That's right you could immigrate to Canada for FREE! The Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance will pay for you and your family’s immigration processing, visa and landing fees.
Apply Now

It even offers a "Green Card Program". Further in the site, he post this as a kind of disclaimer.
We use the “Green Card” term figuratively, in Canada we do not actually use or emit Green Cards. At CIFA Canada, we use this term mostly in comparison to our southern neighbours, the United States of America.

What he fails to explain is the reason he uses the term Green Card. This isn't a benign term. The U.S.A. Diversity Lottery also know as the Green Card Lottery is known world wide. An indication of the "bait value" of using that term is demonstrated by the endless string of scammers using it also.

Ehab Lotfi knows something about "bait value" having used the web site domain canadianimmigrationlottery.com - "Immigration Lottery" again with inference of the U.S. Immigration Lottery. He has since change the name but still uses his lottery as a bait.

Here's what's posted on this "non-profit" organization web site http://canadagreencard.org/canada_immigration_apply_now.html
* Once the online application is complete, to be eligible to the financing, you must have your official assessment evaluation completed, proving that you are an eligible candidate for the daily draw to immigrate to Canada. The Canadian Immigrations House, will evaluate your file. The Canadian Immigration House, is responsible in assuring us that your status and eligibility is legitimate. For this service, Canadian Immigration House will charge you a one time service fee of $100 USD payable to Canadian Immigration House.
* Once your payment to the Canadian Immigration house has been completed, it is important to report it to the Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance. Reporting it to us will insure that you become an active Green Card member. You must do so by proceeding to the payment reporting page.

Still the same immigration scheme. The Non-profit CIFA's sole apparent purpose is to catch-n-feed - Catch unsuspecting hopeful in the third world with their lottery/green card bait, and feed those individuals to Lotfi's CIH who takes $100 from each one for his evaluation, something that can be done for free on the site of Canada Immigration. The applicants are then, and only then worthy of CIFA's attention. Lofti keeps his scheme going by being a sponsor to CIFA.
Lofti is the ONLY apparent sponsor of CIFA, and in return CIFA feeds it's catch ONLY to Lotfi. That's what makes it an immigration "SCHEME".

Ehab Lotfi's deceptive use of his new domain canadagreencard.org is not so subtle in his advertisements, stating emphatically "Canada Green Card Lottery". That's as blatantly a false statement as it gets. Call it false advertising, misleading at best. Some would even call it a scam.

Sponsored links all over the Internet reading:
Canada Green Card Lottery
WIN your immigration to Canada
with CIFA Canada program.

For those who are not familiar with Ehab Lotfi's immigration lottery scheme, I suggest you read this entire thread. This thing started in May 2004, and based on available information, Ehab Lotfi money making CIH has collected tens of thousands $100 fees. His so-called "winners" are apparently approaching 2000 count in a five year span of this lottery scheme. That means nearly 2000 immigration applications supposedly filed with the Canadian Government, only one of his "winners" has successfully immigrated to Canada. You can draw your own conclusion.

[happynono]

Hello Poirot

Adding some whois info:

Domain ID:D145819446-LROR
Domain Name:CIFACANADA.ORG
Created On:11-May-2007 19:48:54 UTC
Last Updated On:22-May-2008 02:16:26 UTC
Expiration Date:11-May-2011 19:48:54 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:Melbourne IT, Ltd. dba Internet Names Worldwide (R52-LROR)
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:D11789129333391
Registrant Name:CIFA
Registrant Organization:CIFA
Registrant Street1:1 Westmount Sqr Suite 1350
Registrant Street2:
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:Westmount
Registrant State/Province:QC
Registrant Postal Code:H3Z2P9
Registrant Country:CA
Registrant Phone: +1.5144480515
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:+1.5142821773
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email:fady_g@sympatico.ca
Admin ID:D117890488360897
Admin Name:Fady Girgis
Admin Organization:CIFA
Admin Street1:1 Westmount Sqr Suite 1350
Admin Street2:
Admin Street3:
Admin City:Westmount
Admin State/Province:QC
Admin Postal Code:H3Z2P9
Admin Country:CA
Admin Phone: +1.5144480515
Admin Phone Ext.:
Admin FAX:+1.5142821773
Admin FAX Ext.:
Admin Email:fady_g@sympatico.ca
Tech ID:D11789129333390
Tech Name:Fady Girgis
Tech Organization:CIFA
Tech Street1:1 Westmount Sqr Suite 1350
Tech Street2:
Tech Street3:
Tech City:Westmount
Tech State/Province:QC
Tech Postal Code:H3Z2P9
Tech Country:CA
Tech Phone: +1.5144480515
Tech Phone Ext.:
Tech FAX:+1.5142821773
Tech FAX Ext.:
Tech Email:fady_g@sympatico.ca
Name Server:NS1.PANELBOXMANAGER.COM
Name Server:NS2.PANELBOXMANAGER.COM



Domain ID:D155526525-LROR
Domain Name:CANADAGREENCARD.ORG
Created On:04-Mar-2009 04:26:32 UTC
Last Updated On:04-May-2009 03:52:51 UTC
Expiration Date:04-Mar-2010 04:26:32 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:GoDaddy.com, Inc. (R91-LROR)
Status:CLIENT DELETE PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT RENEW PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT UPDATE PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:GODA-060452209
Registrant Name:Hany Girgis
Registrant Organization:Cifa Canada
Registrant Street1:1 Westmount SQ
Registrant Street2:
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:Montreal
Registrant State/Province:Quebec
Registrant Postal Code:H3Z 2P1
Registrant Country:CA
Registrant Phone: +1.5148144224
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email:hany@cifacanada.ca
Admin ID:GODA-260452209
Admin Name:Hany Girgis
Admin Organization:Cifa Canada
Admin Street1:1 Westmount SQ
Admin Street2:
Admin Street3:
Admin City:Montreal
Admin State/Province:Quebec
Admin Postal Code:H3Z 2P1
Admin Country:CA
Admin Phone: +1.5148144224
Admin Phone Ext.:
Admin FAX:
Admin FAX Ext.:
Admin Email:hany@cifacanada.ca
Tech ID:GODA-160452209
Tech Name:Hany Girgis
Tech Organization:Cifa Canada
Tech Street1:1 Westmount SQ
Tech Street2:
Tech Street3:
Tech City:Montreal
Tech State/Province:Quebec
Tech Postal Code:H3Z 2P1
Tech Country:CA
Tech Phone: +1.5148144224
Tech Phone Ext.:
Tech FAX:
Tech FAX Ext.:
Tech Email:hany@cifacanada.ca
Name Server:NS2.CANACA.NET
Name Server:NS.CANACA.NET

[poirot]

There are numerous posts in various forums of individual inquiring about the Canada Green Card Lottery as a result of CIFA's misleading advertising. Lets make it clear:

There is no Canada Green Card Lottery. It doesn't exist.

Canada doesn't have Green Cards. It never did.

http://canadagreencard.org/green_card_contact_us.html
CIFA Canada
4060 Ste-Catherine W, Suite 500 Montreal, Québec H3Z 2Z3 Canada
Montreal: (514) 545-8788
Toronto: (647) 367-7978
Ottawa: (613) 366-6617
Quebec City: (418) 478-3373
For question about your official assessment: evaluation@canadianimmigrationhouse.com
If you are a winner and need more information about your file:
winners@cifacanada.ca
If your profile has expired or you would like to ask for an extension:
clientcare@cifacanada.ca
For any other questions or general information:
info@cifacanada.ca

All four numbers are from Fibernetics Corporation, a provider of free VoIP phone service which can be as basic as a voicemail2email with a phone redirecting service, which in this case may be redirecting directly to CIH. In other words, in spite of CIFA's attempt at showing a presence in those cities, all numbers can easily be redirected directly to Ehab Lotfi's CIH. I couldn't find CIFA listed in the online directories.

The voicemail answer with the following greeting:
"Welcome to CIFA, your official Canada Green Card gateway"

Just one more deceptive practice from CIFA.

The connection between the non-profit CIFA and the for-profit Ehab Lotfi has been blatant from the beginning.

CIFA requires that each and every applicant to it's lottery first pay Ehab Lotfi/CIH and ONLY Ehab Lotfi/CIH for a $100 evaluation.
Ehab Lotfi/CIH is the main if not the unique sponsor of CIFA.

Considering that CIFA's Canada immigration lottery, now renamed Canada Green Card Lottery has produced a single immigrant after years of sending tens of thousands of applicants to Lotfi at $100 a shot (Millions of dollars), indicates that CIFA's principal purpose is not to support people hoping to immigrate to Canada. Judging from these numbers, CIFA's main reason for it's existence appears to be to supply the very-profitable Ehab Lotfi's Canada Immigration House with an endless flow of $100 evaluation fees. Whatever CIFA may claim, that's how it has played out since 2004 according to the information available..

And what other Canadian non-profit organization uses misleading advertisement as CIFA does with it's multitude of sponsored ads reading
Canada Green Card Lottery
WIN your immigration to Canada
with CIFA Canada program.

and it's phone greeting of
"Welcome to CIFA, your official Canada Green Card gateway"

What other Canadian non-profit organization uses such an endless string of come-on and baiting domain names. No less than twelve (12) that we know of in the case of CIFA.
canadagreencard.org
cifacanada.ca
cifacanada.org
cifa.cc
c-ifa.com
bestfreeimmigration.com
canadianimmigrationlottery.com
canadianimmigrationlottery.ca
canadianimmigrationfinancialassistance.com
fastimmigration.us
freecanadaimmigration.com
canadagreencard.us


Speaking of blatant links between CIFA and Ehab Lotfi. Here are more of them.
Behind CIFA is Fady Girgis & Hany Girgis as you can see from the WHOIS registration details in the previous post.

Here is the CIH email address that was used in the registration (http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/showpost.php?p=21149&postcount=5) of CIFA's canadianimmigrationfinancialassistance.com : fady@canadianimmigrationhouse.com
CIFA's Fady Girgis with an email account from Ehab Lotfi's CIH

Here is the phone number used in the WHOIS registration (http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/showpost.php?p=21149&postcount=5) of CIFA's c-ifa.com : 514-282-1993
That number belongs to Ehab Lotfi (http://www.canadianimmigrationhouse.com/contact_us.html)
Canadian Immigration House
4148A Ste-Catherine W, Suite 412
Westmount, Quebec
H3Z 0A2 Canada
Tel.: (514) 282-1993
Fax: (514) 282-1773

Here is the phone number used in the WHOIS registration (http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/showpost.php?p=29987&postcount=21) of CIFA's CIFACANADA.ORG - 5142821773
That number also belongs to Ehab Lotfi (see above)

Here's a spam email (http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?threadid=1137036)sent in 2007 by CIFA's canadianimmigrationlottery.com signed Fady Girgis requesting Western Union payment be made directly to Ehab Lotfi:
From: Canadian Immigration Lottery <info@canadianimmigrationlottery.com> Thu, Mar 29, 2007 at 3:09 PM
We are pleased to inform you that we received the application that you have submitted to Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance on the Aug 10, 2005.
Now that you applied through CIFA (Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance) which randomly selects a minimum of one of the eligible candidate’s everyday for financial assistance for immigration to Canada. CIFA will pay all the government processing fees, landing fee and consultancy fee for you and your family.
As you know, CIFA is a non profit organization sponsored by Canadian and international organizations as a means to ensure a sufficient workforce in Canada over the next few years.
If you would like to proceed directly with CIH to apply for your Canadian Immigration, you can contact CIH at www.canadianimmigrationhouse.com for more details.
To get your official assessment, a payment of 100$USD or 115$CAN is required as it is spent on the assessment of your file.
Payment options:
Western Union (Payable to: Ehab Lotfi) for location near you please visit www.westernunion.com
Moneygram (Payable to: Ehab Lotfi) for location near you please visit www.moneygram.com
Paypal online at: http://www.canadianimmigrationlottery.com/help_easy.php
Bank draft drawn on Canadian or American bank
Post mandatory
Money order
Cash Online http://www.graphcard.com
Payable to:
Ehab Lotfi
Canadian Immigration House
1 Westmount Square
Suite 1350 Westmount
Quebec Canada, H3Z 2P9
If you have received that massage and have already made a payment for your official assessment, please verify the reference #. If you have opened more then one account please send a email to our webmaster@canadianimmigrationlottery.com to delete the duplicate accounts.
I hope I answered all your questions and if you have any more questions do not hesitate to ask. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards,
Fady Girgis
CIFA administrator
fady@cifa.cc

Here's an ad for the press conference of CIFA announcing their first (and ONLY) successful immigrant. It is signed by CIFA's Fady Girgis again using Ehab Lotfi's phone number (514) 282-1993
http://www.cnwtelbec.com/en/releases/archive/April2007/04/c2162.html
TIME: 18:00
EVENT: ON THE OCCASION OF THE ARRIVAL OF OUR FIRST CANDIDATE IN
CANADA, SELECTED WITHIN THE CADRE OF THE FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE OFFERED BY CIFA
CITY: MONTREAL
LOCATION: Club Saint James
1145 Union Avenue
CONTACT: Fady Girgis, (514) 282-1993

Here's a more detailed announcement (http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2007/29/c7839.html). Note "Ehab Lotfi, Ph. D., C. Adm. CIFA President" Wether it was a Freudian slip or not. And againg CIFA's Fady Girgis using Lotfi's phone number (514) 282-1993 It appears to be just more indications of CIFA/CIH being nothing more than an immigration scheme to enrich Lotfi. As it has.
Invitation to a press conference on April 4th, 2007
MONTREAL, March 29 /CNW Telbec/ -
Dear Sir or Madam,
On the occasion of the arrival of our first candidate in Canada, selected
within the cadre of the financial assistance offered by CIFA, a press
conference will take place at Club Saint James situated at 1145 Union Avenue,
Montreal, (Quebec) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. on April 4th, 2007
CIFA is a non-profit organization witch main objectives is:
- To help potential and qualified candidates with limited financial
resources to immigrate and relocate their family in Canada.
Your presence will be greatly appreciated and is encouraging to our
mission.
I am looking forward to seeing you on April 4th, 2007.

Yours truly,
(signed)
Ehab Lotfi, Ph. D., C. Adm.
CIFA President

EL/hw
Thank you for confirming your coming by fax at (514)-282-1773.

- Sartorial obligation: Saint-James club demands the respect of his code
concerning clothing. That is to say; city rules, no jeans or, sneakers
are allowed.
For further information: Fady Girgis, (514) 282-1993

Worth noting that at that press conference supposedly given by CIFA, there was only one individual visible near the podium during Maurice Brossard's speech, it was Ehab Lotfi, which was fitting since by all appearance had been running the whole scheme.

I'll repeat for all those who have been taken in by CIFA's false and misleading advertising...

There is no Canada Green Card Lottery. It doesn't exist.

Canada doesn't have Green Cards. It never did.

[poirot]

Domain Name: fastimmigration.us
Expiration Date: 2010-02-21 23:59:59
Creation Date: 2009-02-22 21:44:59
Last Update Date: 2009-04-02 17:49:17
Registrant Contact Information:
Name: Hany Girgis
Organization: Cifa Canada
Address 1: 1 Westmount SQ
City: Montreal
State: Quebec
Zip: H3Z 2P1
Country: CA
Phone: +1. 514-814-4224
Email: hany@cifacanada.ca
.
Domain Name: canadagreencard.us
Expiration Date: 2010-03-03 23:59:59
Creation Date: 2009-03-04 04:26:34
Last Update Date: 2009-04-02 17:49:17
Registrant Contact Information:
Name: Hany Girgis
Organization: Cifa Canada
Address 1: 1 Westmount SQ
City: Montreal
State: Quebec
Zip: H3Z 2P1
Country: CA
Phone: +1.5148144224
Email: hany@cifacanada.ca

Domain Name: bestfastimmigration.com
Expiration Date: 2010-02-22
Creation Date: 2009-02-22
Last Update Date: 2009-04-02

bestfastimmigration.com was registered anonymously on the exact date as CIFA's fastimmigration.us, and is sharing the same server & mail server as canadagreencard.org even though the site is that of Lotfi's for-profit consultant company, Canadian Immigration House.
http://bestfastimmigration.com/page2.html
Canadian Immigration House Your immigration licensed consultants firm
Ehab Lotfi, Ph.D., C. Adm.
IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT

[Maus]

Update:

CSIC website shows that the guy behind the scheme is no longer a CCIC.
His name is now listed in "revoked consultants who are no longer authorized CSIC members", because "membership criteria not met", effective 2010-01-19.

[poirot]

Thanks Maus, you're right, Ehab Lotfi's membership in CSIC was revoked over three months ago
https://www.csic-scci.ca/find/revoked.html
Lotfi Ehab M041037
Revoked—Membership criteria not met
2010-01-19

Yet his web site is still using the CSIC logo
www.canadianimmigrationhouse.com
Our Founder is an
ACCREDITED MEMBER OF
http://canadianimmigrationhouse.com/wpimages/wp1992ab3d_0f.jpg

http://canadianimmigrationhouse.com/the_founder.html clearly states that the founder is Ehab Lotfi. It even blatlantly displays his CSIC Certificate and not a word regarding it's revocation.

Therefore Lotfi has been illegally using the CSIC logo and falsely claiming membership in CSIC on his canadianimmigrationhouse.com web site for over three months. Dealing with non CSIC immigration consultants can be risky. Dealing with any Canadian immigration consultants who falsely claims to be a CSIC member should be avoided as it demonstrates unethical and misleading practices in a profession that's already plagued with scammers and has been for years.


Details here http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/view.php?pg=fw_canimm_eng