Police arrest Pakistani man for faking immigration papers

JAKARTA (JP): A 31-year-old Pakistani has been apprehended by Central Jakarta police detectives at his boarding house on Jl. Karang Anyar for allegedly counterfeiting immigration documents and official stamps.

Central Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna told reporters yesterday that Zaheer Ahmad, who was arrested on Saturday evening, had falsified at least 10 documents, including passports and limited stay permit cards, by using fake immigration stamps and seals.

"He told his victims, most of whom are foreigners, that he could provide them with official immigration documents issued by the Indonesian government which they could use to find work in Australia.

In return, the Pakistani asked the job seekers to pay US$70,000," Iman said.

During police interrogation Zaheer admitted that he told the victims he spent the bulk of the money obtaining the documents which could also be used to travel overseas and return to Indonesia.

Zaheer's arrest followed tip-offs from the City Police Foreigners Supervision Unit, Iman said. He refused to reveal whether Zaheer had worked alone.

Officers seized -- among other things -- two Pakistani passports, one Indonesian and one Belgian passport, two limited stay permit cards, a stamp of the Ministry of Manpower's directorate general of labor placement and 25 immigration stamps and seals.

Iman also said that Zaheer, who has lived here for about seven months, has been using an expired immigration permit.

The suspect, who claims to have married a local woman, is now in police detention.

Iman said Zaheer would be charged for violating Articles 52 and 56 of the Immigration Act No. 9/1992 for using outdated permits and falsifying immigration documents and stamps respectively.

If found guilty, Zaheer could face a maximum five years in prison or a fine of Rp 25 million (US$1,750) for violating the first article and a maximum of six years in prison or a fine of Rp 30 million for the second offense. (ivy)