Chennai police nab ‘mastermind’ in passport-visa forgery case

Investigators said that Khan has so far forged around 150 passports as well as fake visas and facilitated the foreign trips of several individuals in return for a huge commission.

A statement issued by the agency noted that on May 19, the Deputy Director of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Chennai, had forwarded a complaint to the CCB alleging that one Mohammed Sheik Iliyas, 54, of Royapuram was arrested earlier in May for creating fake passports and visas, and for possessing machines that could be used for the purpose. Iliyas was subsequently sent to judicial custody.

After his confession, the investigators arrested two more people in connection with the fake documents. Following a subsequent search operation, the officers managed to nab the key suspect Khan in Hyderabad on Friday. He was later brought to Chennai and remanded in judicial custody.

In the wake of the arrests, the police have advised caution and urged the public to be aware of fake agents. Passports must be obtained by submitting requisite documents only at the district passport offices and later at the embassy of the concerned nation for the requisite visa, officials added.