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26 April 2004
BRUSSELS – Belgian police have arrested 15 people in connection with a major forgery scam involving false identity papers, it was reported on Tuesday.
Belgian broadcaster RTL said on its website that the 15 people were all Brazilian and had been arrested in the Brussels district of Molenbeek.
Two of the alleged forgers had already been arrested last year and were expelled to Brazil, RTL added.
Following the latest raid, the police handed the two known forgers over to Brussels prosecutors.
Among the 13 people arrested, five have been sent back to Brazil and four have been ordered to leave Belgium.
During the raid in Molenbeek, police found several false Portuguese identity cards, false birth certificates and nine fake EU residence permits.
They also confiscated a printer, scanner and computer that contained the necessary software to forge other documents.
Police say the false documents sold on the black market for between EUR 200 and EUR 400 a piece.
[Copyright Expatica 2004]
Subject: Belgian news