Passport fraud

Passport fraud involves intentional deception through forgery, alteration, or misuse of travel documents like passports, often for purposes such as illegal immigration, avoiding deportation, financial crimes, or smuggling. In China, the 2006 Passport Law prohibits fraudulent passport applications and renders such passports invalid, with offenders fined between RMB 2,000 and 5,000 yuan.

In the United States, passport fraud is a federal crime linked to serious offenses like terrorism and smuggling. The Diplomatic Security Service investigates these crimes globally, addressing the significant threat posed by stolen passports. Historical cases include the 1940 convictions of Earl Browder and Welwel Warszower, and in the late 1970s, approximately 900 annual cases were reported.

Fraud methods include using deceased identities, fake documents, altering existing passports, or bypassing parent signatures for minors. Violations can be prosecuted under various U.S. statutes, including those related to forgery and conspiracy, regardless of passport origin. Convictions carry severe penalties: up to $250,000 fines and 10 years imprisonment for minor offenses, increasing to 15 or 20 years for crimes involving human trafficking, narcotics, or terrorism.

The text also references individuals and related forgery topics, underscoring the global impact of passport fraud.