Photocopy centre raided for forging medical leave documents

Abu Dhabi: Two people were arrested in a raid on a photocopy centre in Bani Yas that reportedly charged Dh50 to forge medical leave documents, Abu Dhabi Police said on Monday.

Colonel Dr Rashid Mohammad Borshid, head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), said that an Indian and a Bangladeshi ‘typist’ were arrested. The suspects, Z.M., 23, and M.H., 32, are believed to be involved in the falsification of the medical leave permits by using advanced software to give the documents a seemingly authentic appearance.

Authorities had initially received a tip off last October that the centre was involved in criminal activity.

After having one of its confidants pose as a client, authorities set up a sting operation to capture the suspects and confiscate a number of fake medical certificates from the location.

The accused duo confessed to the charges against them.

Dr Col Borshid considered these falsified medical leave papers a waste of resources for the UAE and its institutions and a hindrance to development and growth. He also called on members of the public to report such incidents to authorities to limit their dangerous effects on others.

The official also said that the CID has a number of highly qualified staff capable of combating crimes involving forgery and counterfeit items.

Recently, counterfeit designer goods worth Dh6 million were confiscated at three residential apartments in the capital.

The suspects involved in the case had reportedly set up hidden storage units behind wooden shelves inside the apartments, which posed a fire hazard, officials said.

The 30,000 items included bags, watches, purses, accessories,glasses, belts, shawls, ties, pens, shoes, perfumes, medicines and even sexual boosters. Boxes containing logos of high-end brands were also found as were fake receipts and guarantee certificates.