Updated | Fake passport scam rumbled by Schengen suspension, no terrorism connection says govt

A number of non-EU nationals, said to be mainly Somali nationals and Syrians, have been identified as having travelled from Italy to Malta using false documents.

Two Syrian men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested at the Ciampino airport as they tried to reach Malta using fake passports. According to TGcom24, the case is “tied” to the arrests carried out yesterday in Bergamo.

The two teenagers stopped by the Italian authorities were trying to pass of as a Norwegian and a French. Italian media reports that when one of them had sought asylum in Austria.

In a statement, the Maltese government said Schengen rules had allowed non-EU nationals to travel to Malta, where they were not being checked upon arrival. The governments said the persons in question were applying for asylum, who often used photos of people involved in war – whom they claim are their relatives – to sustain their claims for asylum.

A total of 30 people were said to have entered Malta from the start of the year, who are now being traced down by the authorities, together with collaborators.

“From the analysis of the authorities involved, these people are unrelated to terrorism. Their abuse is related to false documentation for the provision of international protection and work permits.”

The government said that the Maltese authorities had located this circle of fraud thanks to the suspension of Schengen rules in Malta and Italy that led to renewed passport controls, and collaboration with foreign agencies.

The government said police and the MSS had managed to achieve fast results thanks to this collaboration. “This should put the public’s mind at rest of the work being carried out to ensure security and that there is no threat of terrorism.”

Investigations are meanwhile underway by Italian authorities to determine which organisation was facilitating the transit of foreigners through Italian borders, providing them with fake documents and flight tickets.