Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has commended the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Nova Scotia for a thorough investigation into alleged residence fraud.

“I want to applaud the outstanding work done by RCMP investigators in this matter,” said Alexander. “To those who would lie or misrepresent themselves to the Government, consider this a warning that we will continue to apply the full strength of Canadian law and crack down on citizenship fraud.”

Charged with a number of criminal code offences including misrepresentation and false representation, Basem Farid Awaad of Bedford will appear in Halifax Provincial court on December 5th, 2013.

The Government of Canada offers a tip line through the CIC Call Centre where tips on suspected citizenship fraud cases may be reported.

Cases involving false representation, fraud or knowingly concealing material circumstances in the citizenship process – for example, pretending to be present in Canada to meet the residence requirements for obtaining citizenship – should be referred to the citizenship fraud tip line at CIC’s Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada only, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday).