Japanese Immigrant in Canada Defrauded of $2 Million

Japanese immigrant in Canada, Fusako Kametani, accuses  Melissa Holman, 40, president and founder of the Temporary Foreign Workers Association of Canada for swindling her over $2 millions in cash and property by allegedly making her believe that she could lose her assets or could be deported.

Melissa Holman has been charged with five counts of fraud over $5,000 and five counts of theft over $5,000.

Single mother Kametani came to Canada as student. She later purchased two properties, one for her residence and one for renting out to generate income.

Ms. Holmes told Ms. Kametani that while on study visa in Canada, she was not legally authorized to work and by renting the property she was in danger of being deported or government seizing her properties. Under the fear of losing everything, Kametani handed over the ownerships of her properties to Ms. Holmes. Ms. Kametani also alleges that Ms. Holmes took $410,000 to keep in safe trust account.

Ms. Holmes has handed over the property ownerships back to Ms. Kametani and about $90,000 have been returned as well.

 

Melissa Holman released the following statement:

To the public,

STATEMENT OF MELISSA HOLMAN June 14, 2012

Given the fantastic allegations against me, I can understand the public’s concern, but it is my hope that the truth will prevail. Please remember, these are only allegations and there are two sides to every story. I can assure you that I am not guilty of the charges levied against me.

Fusako Kametani had been in Canada three years before we met and became friends. She planned on appointing me the guardian of her daughter.

No immigration advice was ever given to her by me. The transfer of the two properties was entirely her idea for her personal reasons. The verbal agreement between us was clear that at any time she asked for the properties back, I would return the properties upon her request. This was witnessed by a number of people.

The transfers to me took place with a lawyer present. Six weeks later, she asked for them back and I did so immediately.

These documents were witnessed and are a matter of public record. No police or court action had been commenced at that time. I just did what I had promised upon request. This all happened nearly ten months ago. There was no fraud or scam involved.

Yes, Ms. Kametani gave me money. I never controlled her bank accounts, nor ever asked to do so. Fusako had also expressed interest in opening sister offices of my not for profit organization in Japan, to help with the aftermath of the tsunami. Fusako is a shareholder in my company.

I am devastated by these false accusations. It is my fervent hope that these allegations will not tarnish the reputations of my and other decent humanitarian organizations in Canada helping people.

I am confident I will be acquitted in a court of law, but feel like I have already been judged by the police, some of the press and the public at large. Please let all the facts come to light in the due process of the law before rushing to judgement against me.

My lawyer has advised me not to say any more on this matter at this time
Kind regards,
Melissa Holman
President & Founder
Temporary Foreign Workers Association of Canada

Temporary Foreign Workers Association of Canada

Foreign students are not allowed to work in Canada without obtaining the off-campus work permit, however, they are allowed to purchase property in Canada. Renting out a property for generating cash is not “work” and thus does not require a foreign student to obtain work permit to do so.

Tags: Canada, Fusako Kametani, Immigration, immigration fraud, Melissa Holmes, Study in Canada, Study visa