Bahamas refers 98 suspected passport fraud cases to police amid crackdown

Authorities in The Bahamas have referred 98 suspected passport fraud cases to police as part of a wider effort to clamp down on irregularities within the system.

Chief Passport Officer Nicholas Symonette said internal reviews also flagged possible staff involvement in some of the मामलों, which have been referred for further investigation. He added that police have since identified four additional suspects in separate matters.

Symonette’s comments come amid claims by Opposition Leader Michael Pintard that more than 250 fraudulent document cases were under investigation, raising concerns about potential misuse ahead of the next general election. However, Symonette said the figure cited by Pintard was based on an earlier subset of cases compiled by the Passport Office and that he was unaware of the higher number.

He explained that the cases were identified through internal audits and submitted to the Royal Bahamas Police Force with supporting documentation, with the list updated as new findings emerge.

“That list shows we are doing our job to detect and stop fraud early,” Symonette said.

Authorities have already brought several of the matters before the courts. National Security Minister Wayne Munroe disclosed that 27 people have been arrested and charged across 21 cases, with two convictions secured and others still pending.

Investigations have uncovered a range of fraudulent activities, including sham marriages, falsified birth certificates, irregular naturalisation records, and improper citizenship and immigration documents.

Symonette also pointed to a 2019 policy that allowed limited documentation for passport renewals as a factor that weakened vetting processes. He said that policy has since been scrapped, with full verification procedures reinstated.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson defended the integrity of the voter register, noting that individuals found to be ineligible are being removed in accordance with the law.

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“There is no need to attack civil servants who are carrying out their duties professionally and in the public interest,” Thompson said.