New Wave of 'Lookalike' Fraudulent Passports in UK

A recent news item on BBC News has reported on the arrest of ten people, in London and Kent, on suspicion of supplying fraudulent passports to more than 100 high-level organised criminals.

It is thought the gang made millions of pounds by identifying ‘lookalikes’, often vulnerable individuals, and persuading them with cash to let them apply for passports in their name but with the photographs of the fugitives substituted.

Jacque Beer, the National Crime Agency (NCA) regional head of investigations, said if the suspects are convicted, it will have ‘dismantled a criminal service that allowed drug and firearm traffickers, suspected murderers, and fugitives to evade detection and operate internationally under false identities.’ Ms Beer said she hoped the case will lead to the ‘strengthening of safeguards against criminal exploitation of the UK passport issuing system’.