Foreign national arrested in Free State for using fraudulent identity document

A 44-year-old foreign national has been arrested in Virginia, Free State, for allegedly using a fraudulent South African identity document to misrepresent himself as a citizen.

The arrest was the result of a joint operation between the Welkom Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) and Crime Intelligence, who acted on information received about the suspect’s activities.

According to police spokesperson Sergeant Palesa Thabana, the suspect was traced and found in the Virginia Central area. 

"Preliminary investigations were conducted, and information received from the Department of Home Affairs confirmed that the identity document found in possession of the suspect was a fraudulent document," says Thabana

She says that, allegedly, the suspect placed a photo of himself on the ID, using someone else's personal information.

Thabana added to say that it remains unclear how many crimes may have been committed using the fake ID, and investigations are ongoing.

"Police confiscated one green South African identity book, alleged to be used in the alleged misrepresentation."

The suspect was arrested on charges of fraud and contravention of the Immigration Act. He is expected to appear in the Virginia Magistrate’s Court soon.

IOL NEWS