Mauritius Cracks Down on Fake Permit Network, Couple Arrested

A significant investigation has been launched to unravel a nefarious network involved in the production of counterfeit “Student Residence Permits.”

The diligent detectives of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) in Port-Louis South are set to intensify their inquiries this week, following the dismantling of a syndicate that specialised in the sale of these fraudulent documents to foreign nationals—be they students or workers—facilitating their unlawful settlement in Mauritius.

This coveted document bears a striking resemblance to an official issuance from the Passport and Immigration Office (PIO).

The Catalyst: Intelligence Leads to Action
The scandal erupted when officers from the PIO, having been alerted to the circulation of fake student permits, initiated a discreet investigation.

They gathered credible intelligence indicating that a delivery of counterfeit documents was scheduled to occur at Tribeca Mall on Friday, 9th May.

In response, the PIO promptly enlisted the assistance of the Divisional Crime Intelligence Unit (DCIU) of Port-Louis South, launching an operation without delay.

Student Resident Permits

On the fateful day, law enforcement intercepted a suspicious taxi. A thorough search of the vehicle revealed an envelope containing two fraudulent “Student Residence Permits,” dated 9th May and issued in the names of Sanjaybhai P. and Hushan K., alongside two documents from a higher education institution located in Goodlands.

Investigators believe that the recipients intended to present these documents to their employers, thereby misleading them into believing they were compliant with Mauritian immigration laws.

An inspector from the PIO, present at the scene, swiftly determined that these permits were indeed forgeries and had never been issued by the relevant authorities.

The Taxi Driver’s Revelations
Upon questioning, the taxi driver disclosed that he had been commissioned by one Farzana El Hosami Golab Nabee, a resident of Plaine-des-Papayes, to deliver the envelope to a third party at Tribeca Mall, in exchange for another envelope containing a staggering Rs 140,000.

Arrests and Seizure of a Forgery Arsenal
On the same day, law enforcement executed a raid at Morcellement VRS in Plaine-des-Papayes, resulting in the arrest of Farzana El Hosami Golab Nabee, aged 42, and her husband, Krish Mattapullut, a former police officer.

During the search of their residence, investigators uncovered a veritable arsenal employed in the fabrication of counterfeit documents:

Numerous A4 sheets bearing the PIO seal, fake permits, a laptop, a printer, a USB drive, multiple SIM cards, and various other items.

Judicial Proceedings and Continued Investigation
The couple has since been detained and charged with “forgery” before the Rivière-du-Rempart court on Saturday.

As the week unfolds, they are expected to face extensive questioning by Superintendent Dussoye and Sergeants Ramsaha, Mohidinkhan, and Ratinapoullé from the CID of Port-Louis South regarding their involvement in this alarming affair.

A Larger Conspiracy?
At this juncture, the two suspects are regarded as pivotal players in a counterfeiting network implicated in the trafficking of fake residence permits intended for nationals from India, Nepal, and Madagascar.

On Sunday 11th May, the mobile phones belonging to the couple, as well as that of their taxi driver, were seized and subjected to rigorous analysis by technicians from the Information Technology Unit (IT Unit) of the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID).

This meticulous examination aimed to unravel the intricate web of connections within the network.

By March 2024, the situation took a dramatic turn with the seizure of counterfeit documents bearing the national coat of arms.

As the month drew to a close, during a crackdown on foreign workers residing unlawfully, the Police Immigration Office (PIO) unearthed a trove of forged documents adorned with the Republic’s insignia.

These documents were accompanied by a fraudulent recommendation from the PIO itself, complete with the signature of a former senior official from the department.

Investigators are not ruling out the possibility of internal complicity within the Passport and Immigration Office, casting a shadow of suspicion over the very institution tasked with safeguarding the integrity of Mauritian immigration.

Source: Defi Media