Passport forgery 'mafia boss' nabbed

BANGKOK — A 60-year-old Pakistani man suspected of being the ringleader of an international passport forgery network has been arrested in Bangkok’s Bang Kholaem district, police said today (April 9).

The suspect, identified as Abdul Ganni, alias Baboo Rafid, was apprehended at a house on Soi Charoen Krung 99 in Wat Phraya Krai area during a police raid, Police Lieutenant General Sakda Chuenpakdee, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said during a press conference today.

Police seized computers and other equipment used for forgery found in the house.

The arrest came after an investigation into reports Mr Ganni had been providing false passports and other travel documents for members of transnational criminal gangs, including Iranian drug traffickers, for over 20 years, Thai media said today.

“The suspect bought stolen passports for use in forging identities and also produced fake passports of various countries,” said Police Lieutenant General Sakda.

A source said Ganni was said to be the leader of the mafia forgery network and the criminals he provided false passports for included members of the Al-Qaeda terrorist movement. BANGKOK POST