CID arrests gang of 12 for running fake passport racket in Telangana

HYDERABAD: In a major crackdown on passport fraud, the Telangana Crime Investigation Department (CID) has apprehended a gang of 12 individuals, including agents and two special branch officers for allegedly procuring passports with fake documents for foreign nationals.

Acting on credible information, the CID registered a case on January 18 and launched a swift investigation. The next day they conducted coordinated raids across Hyderabad, Jagitial, Korutla, Nizamabad, and Karimnagar, leading to the arrests.

Among those apprehended is prime accused Abdus Sattar Osman Al Jahwari, a 50-year-old Hyderabad resident with a history of creating fake educational certificates since 2011. The accused expanded his operations to include forging passports, charging Rs 75,000 per passport from a Chennai-based agent who had connections with Sri Lankan citizens and refugees.

The gang's modus operandi involved creating fake Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, birth certificates, and educational documents, Registering passport slots under false identities and collaborating with special branch officials to manipulate police verification processes.

The CID seized a significant amount of incriminating evidence including 108 passports, 15 mobile phones, 5 laptops, 4 CPUs, 3 printers, 11 pen drives, 1 scanner, 1 monitor and passport application-related documents.

Investigations thus far have revealed that the gang had successfully processed over 100 passports of which 92 of those were used for international travel. The exact purpose for which these passports were obtained is still under investigation. The CID is currently pursuing further evidence and seeking to apprehend other individuals involved in the racket.