Malta is investigating a large-scale fraud operation involving the issuance of around 18,000 Maltese ID cards to foreign nationals, including Libyans, based on fake documents and false declarations. According to “Malta Today”, lawyer Jason Azzopardi filed an urgent request for a judicial investigation earlier this week.
Former official Maria Spiteri and her boyfriend, alleged fraudster Bernard Attard, were identified by several detained men who used these fake ID cards to apply for residence permits. The investigation revealed that Spiteri and Attard allowed foreign nationals to enter the Identity Malta office after hours to photograph them for new ID cards. These cards were issued in less than 30 days, far quicker than the usual three to four months.
The fraud involved thousands of fake certificates, mostly marriage certificates, documenting fictitious marriages between nationals from countries like Libya and Egypt, and British citizens when the UK was still an EU member. These forged documents were then used to apply for Maltese ID cards.
A police inspector who planned to charge top political officials with masterminding the racket was transferred to another department. The racket’s exposure includes a claim that debauched parties were organised by a Colombian woman who used corrupt contacts within Identity Malta to obtain work permits for prostitutes, attended by high-profile figures.
Identità, the agency responsible for issuing ID cards, stated it takes all allegations seriously and is fully cooperating with the police. The agency has strengthened its internal compliance structures and launched necessary internal investigations, passing findings to the police. Identità stressed its zero-tolerance policy towards abuse and its commitment to continue supporting the investigation.
