NEW YORK — Police in Toronto, Canada, are asking everyone to help them find a woman named Maria Corpuz, who is being accused of fooling people with fake immigration services.
Maria is 43 years old and is from the Philippines. Right now, she is missing, and the police are trying hard to find her. They say she might have tricked many people who were hoping to live and work in Canada.
⚠️ What Did Maria Allegedly Do?
Between May 2023 and May 2025, Maria reportedly told people that she could help them get:
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Canadian citizenship (so they could live there forever), and
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Work permits (so they could work legally in Canada).
She worked in a busy part of Toronto near Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue.
People said that Maria acted like a real immigration expert. She promised to handle all the paperwork and said she had connections with the Canadian government. So, people trusted her and gave her thousands of dollars.
But there was a big problem…
🧾 The Documents Were Fake!
After a while, the people who paid Maria started to check on their applications. That’s when they learned the truth—the documents she gave them were fake!
That means:
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Their Canadian papers were not real.
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They were not allowed to stay or work in Canada legally.
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And worst of all, their money was gone.
Now, Maria is facing several criminal charges, including:
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3 counts of fraud under $5,000
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3 counts of pretending to be someone she’s not
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2 counts of using fake papers
📣 Police Are Asking for Help
Toronto Police think that more people may have been tricked by Maria but are too scared or shy to come forward. They are asking anyone who got scammed to speak up.
They also shared a photo of Maria Corpuz and are asking the public to:
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Call the police if they see her or know where she is.
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Even a small tip might help catch her.
The police are also telling Maria herself: “Please talk to a lawyer and turn yourself in peacefully.”
👮 Why This Matters
There are many people around the world who want to move to Canada for a better life. Sadly, some scammers take advantage of their dreams.
This is why Canadian police always remind people to:
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Check if an immigration helper is licensed.
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Be careful with money.
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Ask questions if something feels wrong.
📞 How to Report
If you know where Maria Corpuz is, call:
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Toronto Police: 416-808-3100
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Or share a secret tip at Crime Stoppers: 416-222-TIPS (8477)
