【Warning】Chengzhi Study Abroad Study Permit Renewal Scam

WeChat ID: iLiCJohn

WeChat name: John 🇨🇦 成智留学^^_^

Payment email: [email protected]

Summary of the incident:

While negotiating a study permit renewal service with the WeChat user iLiCJohn (who calls himself "Chengzhi Study Abroad"), I encountered non-transparent pricing, malicious extra charges, and a refusal to issue a refund. He initially quoted an all-inclusive price of CAD 330, but during the process demanded an additional CAD 150 as a "visa filing fee." When I questioned this and tried to negotiate cancelling the service, he refused to refund me on the grounds that "time has already been spent," and even unilaterally terminated the service and blocked me.

Detailed timeline of events:

In March 2025, I contacted iLiCJohn on WeChat to ask about the price of the study permit renewal service.

He clearly stated: "If you were referred by a friend, the service fee is $330," and did not mention any additional fees.

Based on this quote, in July I sent CAD 330 by e-transfer to [email protected].

He told me that because I had not yet entered Canada, he could not proceed with the application and that a refund was possible. Out of trust, I told him, "Just keep it for now, so we don't have to go through the hassle again later."

On August 24, 2025, the price suddenly increased during the process

After I provided all the required identity documents, he suddenly told me that the CAD 330 did not include the CAD 150 "immigration filing fee" and demanded that I pay it separately.

I questioned this, arguing that the pricing was not transparent and the total was too high (CAD 480 in total, whereas typical agent service fees are between CAD 150 and 200), and I tried to negotiate cancelling the service and getting a refund.

Malicious refusal to refund and threats

He refused to refund me on the grounds that "time has already been spent," claiming that "there is no possibility of a refund."

Even after I proposed a compromise (refund CAD 300 and deduct CAD 30 as compensation for his time), he took a hard line, unilaterally terminated the service, and said, "Don't contact me again, you are no longer our client." He also refused to continue processing my application.

He did not provide a contract, and I have ample reason to suspect he is evading taxes.

Final outcome

As of August 26, 2025, the service has not been completed, the CAD 330 has not been refunded, and he has refused any further communication or to continue processing the application.

I have reported this to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and to WeChat Security.

I am making this public to prevent more people from being harmed. Online transactions carry risks, so be careful when transferring money!