The Italian Embassy Lagos is the worst hit with fake documents in Nigeria following a recent disclosure by the Police Special Fraud Unit on Sunday. According to the police spokesman, ASP Lawal Audu, an average of 50 Nigerian passports with fake documents is sent to the SFU monthly.
The police chief hinted that Canada was the target before now but attention had now shifted to the European nation's embassy in Lagos.
The Italian Embassy sent to SFU about 50 Nigerian Passports monthly with complaints of forged documents.
‘‘We have charged more than 15 persons to court for presenting fake document between January and May, 2017.
“Documents the applicants always forged include bank statements, health insurance certificates, invitation letters from Italy, letters of introduction and letter of employment from multinational companies.
“Italian Consulate normally checks all supporting document for any applicant. They are very meticulous in checking. “We have many passports with such complaints in large numbers.
“Once any embassy or high commission discovers irregularities in any application, they request the applicant to come to SFU for clearance; many never came to us.
‘‘After waiting for some time, we go out to look for such applicants.
“Many of the applicants used fake names and addresses. Even their mobile phone numbers are with fake names and addresses. Some phone numbers have baby’s names for registration,” Audu noted.
