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DNRD busts fake visa racket, arrests three persons
DNRD team raids premises and seizes incriminating documents, including 23 counterfeit employment visas
DUBAI - July 12, 2004 The Investigation and Control section of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) has busted a racket involving production and supply of counterfeit employment visas and arrested three accused, while the fourth is still absconding.
The racket came to light after a team from the Investigation and Control section raided a house in Dubai, acting on a tip-off and under the supervision of Lt. Col. Rashid Bakhit Al Jumairi, Assistant Director, Investigation and Control section. A dummy customer planted by DNRD approached the person in the said house and asked for an employment visa. The raiding party, with prior permission from the Dubai Prosecution, then swung into action, just after the illegal operator had typed the name of the customer on a counterfeit visa.
The raid led to the seizure of 23 counterfeit visas and six Pakistani, one Bangladeshi and one Afghani passports. DNRD officials said the racket was run by four Pakistanis. Investigations revealed that the gang used to sell the visas at the rate of Dhs. 6,000 per visa. While two accused persons were arrested at the time of the raid, a third accused was nabbed subsequently. The third accused confessed that he played the role of a middleman by selling the visas, for a commission of Dhs. 500 per visa.
Brigadier Saeed bin Belailah, Director, DNRD, said: "While Dubai is committed to raise further its image as the trade and business hub of the region, we have systems in place to ensure that illegal activities are curbed as part of our responsibility to provide safety to all residents, whether expatriates or local. We have hi-tech systems that can detect any fake document and bright to justice all those who try to take advantage of our open system."
The fake visas were recognisable because of inferior quality of paper, colour and absence of security features that form part of the UAE visas. Investigations into the case took a month, leading to the arrest of the three accused. The Investigation and Control section is coordinating with other enforcement agencies to nab the fourth accused, in an attempt to get to the bottom of the racket.
"I would like complement the team from the Investigation and Control section for the prompt action and quick investigation that led to the arrest of the accused," added Brig. Saeed bin Belailah. "This raid should send the signal that while UAE welcomes people of all nationalities, it will deal harshly with those attempting to violate the rules." (Keralamonitor.com)