35 people arrested in Azerbaijan for possessing fake Schengen visas and other documents

Azerbaijani authorities said a total of 35 people were arrested in August for trying to enter the country while holding fake passports, Schengen visas and other documents.

News of the arrest of the 35 people was announced by the State Border Service of Azerbaijan. The National Border Service revealed that in addition to holding fake Schengen visas and passports, those arrested also held fake date stamps, reports SchengenVisaInfo.com.

The national border service should now reveal further information and say whether these people were planning to reach the European Union illegally.

Other countries have also reported similar cases, and others have arrested people facilitating illegal travel.

Earlier in August, Moroccan authorities said they had arrested six people involved in Schengen visa counterfeiting activities. The six individuals were arrested in the town of Oujda.

The General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance said two of those arrested were women. In addition, the Directorate revealed that these six people had links with a network involved in the falsification of Schengen visas.

Furthermore, it was revealed that the persons concerned had also falsified administrative and banking documents.

A similar case also took place in Spain. Spanish national police arrested around 90 people who were distributing false documents to facilitate illegal immigration into the country in early July.

Police said the organization received customers through social media in Spain. Once the organization received half of the payment for the document, they produced it in Istanbul and the rest of the payment was made before shipment.

“They offered different documents; passports at 1,000 euros, residence permits at 750 euros, Schengen visas at 500 euros and circulation permits at 350 euros, the benefits of which for the organization are estimated at more than 1,000,000 euros”, said the Spanish Interior Ministry at the time.

In addition, the Spanish authorities also seized 71 false documents, various electronic devices and €4,300 in cash.

The Spanish Interior Ministry said in July that this organization was made up of members divided into two branches of criminal activity. One of the branches was responsible for collecting money from customers, while the other was responsible for sending false documents to Spain.

According to the ministry, counterfeiters could reproduce residence permits, Schengen visas, travel passports, as well as visas. It is estimated that this organization provided more than 700 people with false documents.