Immigration intercepts 56 attempting entry with false identities in 2024

Maldives Immigration states they intercepted 56 foreigners who attempted to enter Maldives with false identities via air travel last year.

Speaking at SSTV’s ‘Baaru Hathareh’ program on Thursday night, Chief Principal Immigration Officer Ahmed Waheed attributed the interception of the 56 foreigners to the vigilance of the border control officers. He added that we must believe there are plenty of foreigners who would attempt to enter the Maldives with false identities and forged documents.

Citing there was no requirement to obtain a visa ahead of time when traveling to the Maldives, Waheed noted that individuals who meet the requirement under the Immigration Act will be permitted entry to the nation.

“While this stands, we intercepted 56 cases of false identities last year. We stopped individuals who attempted enter with forged passports among other similar things,’ he added.

He described the interception of the 56 foreigners as a huge feat.

Statistics of attempted illegal entries disclosed by Immigration:

First quarter (January to March)

Fake passports – six cases

Fake ID cards – one case

Impersonation of another individual – one case

Second quarter (April to June)

Fake passports – 16 cases

Forged passports – one case

Third quarter (July to September)

Fake passports – five cases

Fake ID cards – one case

Fake bio page – three case

Fantasy passport – one case

Impersonation of another individual – four cases

Forged visa – two cases

Forged stamp – four cases

Immigration states the authority is undertaking significant efforts to detect immigration-related crimes.