Investigation into production of fake visas, passports

By SAMUEL BARIASI
IMMIGRATION and Border Security Minister Westly Nukundj announced an internal investigation into the Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA) on Friday.
Nukundj said the investigation would focus on the production of fake visas, long delays in processing all classes of visas, passports and other related activities.
“I am compelled to do this after the recent exposure of fake visas alleged to be produced by officers within ICA and former officers,” he said.
Nukundj said the call for the internal investigation was made by National Fraud and Anti-Corruption (NFACD) Directorate director Chief Supt Mathew Damaru after police investigations revealed that genuine ICA official stamps on visa labels had been used in producing fake visas.
Nukundj said a previous investigation also revealed that there was a syndicate comprising ICA officers and others who were issuing fake visas to foreigners.
“It is highly likely that a lot of our (ICA) staff are involved in this syndicate.”
Nukundj said even though he did not know exactly how long it had been going on, he believed fake visas had been issued for quite some time.
“We do not have any evidence (as yet), (therefore) I can’t tell you how many fake visas had been issued.
“This alone is a serious threat to our national security,” he said.
Nukundj said he would ensure that those involved faced the full force of the law.
“We are not going to be lenient on our staff.”
He said a special investigation team comprising of six senior ICA officers had been appointed by the ICA task force coordinator John Bria.
“Bria will head the team and he will be assisted by police detectives from NFACD.
“The duration of the investigation will be for a month (from last Friday) but is subject to extension.”