3 Nigerians held in passport scam

Three Nigerian nationals have been arrested for preparing fake passports of African countries and forged Indian visa for over-staying in India.

Police have recovered 20 filled and blank passports of Ghana, South Africa, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, forged Indian visa stickers and rubber stamps of arrival and departure of immigration of Indian and Nigerian airports.

The accused have been identified as Kelvin, 28, Ibitoroko Melville, 53, and Martins Cletus Okechukwu, 36.

While Kelvin and Melville were arrested following a raid at their rented house in south-west Delhi’s Dwarka on March 19, Cletus was arrested at their instance on March 21.

“The gang used to provide fake passports and Indian visas to people of African descent who wanted to stay in India even after expiry of their valid Indian visas,” said Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell).

The arrests came following information that Kelvin and Melville were running the racket. On March 19, specific input was received that Melville would exchange fake passports and visas with Kelvin in Dwarka Sector 3 and 13.

“A trap was laid and both the accused were arrested,” Yadav added.

During interrogation, Kelvin and Melville told police about their accomplices Okechukwu, Stanley and Tenten operating from Delhi, NCR and Tamil Nadu. On March 21, Okechukwu was also arrested.

“Two fake residential permits, one in his own name while another in fake name but having his photograph on it were recovered,” Yadav said.

Okechukwu told police that he used to provide African clients to Kelvin and Melville and charged commission from them as well as clients.