Immigration intercepts foreigner holding a counterfeit passport

Maldives Immigration has intercepted a foreigner who attempted to enter Maldives using a counterfeit passport.

The foreigner was intercepted by border security officials last Tuesday.

Immigration spokesperson Hassan Khaleel confirmed the interception, but declined to disclose the nationality of the man.

This is the third such interception by border security officials this month.

Khaleel reported to Sun that most of the foreigners who are intercepted attempting to enter Maldives illegally under an assumed identity or using forged travel documents are from low-income countries.

He said that some of the foreigners intercepted by border security officials were found to make such attempts to improve their living condition, escape from civil war in their home countries, or escape punishment for crimes.

Immigration announced last week that it had intercepted 11 foreigners who attempted to enter Maldives illegally under assumed identities so far this year.

The law requires such foreigners intercepted by authorities to be deported back to the country they traveled to Maldives from. The cost of deportation must be borne by the foreigner or his/her family.