Three busted for issuing fake passports

Three persons suspected to be members of a passports and visa falsification gang in Accra have been arrested.

They are Moses Lamptey, alias OBK, 69, a trader; William Kofi Mensah, alias Gaye, 45, a businessman, and Eric Nyamekye, alias Rasta, 35, an artist.

The police retrieved 190 passports from them, including Ghanaian, American, British, South African, Dutch and Nigerian passports.

Apart from other forged documents, the police also found 75 rubber VISA stamps in their possession.

A search in their homes also led to the retrieval of three black and white printers, one coloured printer, one digital camera, two lamination machines and a laptop.

Tip-off

Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Public Affairs Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of police (ASP) Mrs Affia Tenge, said the three men were arrested on a tip-off last Friday.

She said the suspects were operating within Kokomlemle, Bubuashie, Anyaa and Botianor, all in Accra, adding that they were arrested separately.

According to her, the three suspects allegedly admitted in their caution statements to falsifying documents for their clients, as well as issuing them with visas.

The fake visas were to give the embassies the impression that the holders of the passports had experience in travelling and that became a basis for securing future visas.