UAE visa forging suspect held in police sting

Ras Al Khaimah: A suspect who allegedly specialised in forging and selling various types of UAE visas for thousands of dirhams has been arrested, the RAK Naturalisation and Residency Department said on Wednesday.

The Egyptian suspect reportedly targeted Asians and allegedly sold a fake visa for a minimum of Dh3,000-Dh5,000.

Police say they confiscated the equipment the suspect allegedly used to forge the visas in his residence in the Al Nakheel area.

Colonel Sultan Yousuf Al Nuaimi, who heads the RAK Naturalisation and Residency Department, said that the suspect used sophisticated computer programs to forge the visas.

Al Nuaimi said the department received a tip from an informer about the suspect.

The department set up a team of police officers to trace the suspect and arrest him.

The suspect, sponsored by an establishment in another emirate, was put under police surveillance for a week and all his clients were monitored.

Al Nuaimi said the team requested the informer to contact the suspect and request some visas. The agent did so and the suspect allegedly accepted the job.

Al Nuaimi added necessary permission was secured from the Public Prosecution and police searched the suspect's residence.

Equipment

The suspect was arrested and the equipment which included a printer and a flash memory disc containing computer programs was confiscated.

Al Nuaimi said the suspect changed the photos of the legal holders of the visas and replaced them with others after changing all the other details on the document.

During police investigations with the suspect, he reportedly confessed to his crimes and allegedly provided detailed information about the technique used to forge the visas.

Police referred the suspect to the Public Prosecution for further investigation and to press charges against him.

Colonel Abdullah Ali Al Housani, who heads the Foreigners Follow Up Section at the Naturalisation and Residency Department said the suspect targeted Asian nationals.

He said the suspect was a serious threat to the emirate's security. He warned residents to avoid dealing with such people.

Al Housani urged the public to report those who deal in UAE visas illegally. He said the department would take prompt action.

He said the department will continue its frequent inspection campaigns.