Man arrested for dealing forged documents [1]
Tuesday, August 8, 2017 - 21:32. Updated on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 - 21:34.
A 43-year-old man from Kolofo’ou has been charged with using forged documents to obtain two passports. He was arrested last Wednesday 2 August after police executed a search warrant.
The accused has been formally charged with two counts of knowingly dealing with forged documents. He has been bailed and his case is adjourned to 16 October 2017
The search warrants were executed by Tonga Police Passport Taskforce members with Tonga CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team).
Acting Police Commissioner and head of the Passport Taskforce, Viliami ‘Unga Fa’aoa, said that this was second case where the misuse of the Ministry of Justice’s system was being used to create false birth certificates. The five accused in the first case have all been handed prison sentences.
Fa’aoa stated, “This is an important investigation to stamp out all fraudulent passport activities intended for locals and foreigners.”
The investigation continues into others involved in this case. The Passport Taskforce is working closely with Ministry of Justice, Tonga Immigration and National Identity Cards Office in combating crimes of identity fraud.