Two workshops for manufacturing false papers dismantled in the Paris region

False passports, false residence permits and false identity cards from different countries of the European Union (illustration image). STEPHAN AGOSTINI / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

Two workshops for the production of false papers have been discovered in the Paris region. They fueled significant traffic in France and Greece for migrants. 

Publicity

Read more

Two 35-year-old Algerians were detained in this case, after admitting the facts in police custody. They are suspected of being at the head of a network with several ramifications specializing in the manufacture of driving licenses, Spanish, Italian, Belgian and French identity cards.

The investigation began in Marseille with the discovery by the transporter Chronopost of a package containing French and foreign documents, stolen in this city, bound for Greece. Thanks to eavesdropping and hideouts, the investigators went back to two workshops for making false papers, installed in apartments in the Paris region.

There, the investigators found stamps with the French Republic logo, a very rare thermal printer that cannot be found on the market, and 1,150 blank identity cards. Part of these false papers was sold in the Parisian district of Barbès, between 150 and 250 euros according to the police. The rest were sent to Greece to serve migrants wishing to go into exile in Europe and presenting a face resembling the official holder of the identity document. 

A third person, the partner of one of the two counterfeiters, was also charged in this case. 

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • France
  • Justice
  • Immigration