Police arrest Pakistani man for faking immigration papers

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and 56 of the Immigration Act No. 9/1992 for using outdated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)