Woman caught trying to leave north Cyprus to the south with a forged passport

A woman who was trying to exit north Cyprus via the border gate with the south was arrested on Friday for allegedly carrying a fake passport.

The suspect, AOO, a Nigerian woman was arrested on Friday December 13 at the Metehan crossing Gate with south Cyprus while trying to exit the north after immigration found that he was carrying a fake passport.

She was brought to court on Saturday December 14 on charges of “circulating a forged document,” “assuming another person’s identity,” and “obtaining a record through fraudulent conduct”.

Police officer who spoke in court said, the suspect on March 21, 2024 entered north Cyprus via the Ercan Airport with a passport with the name P******* E******* which had been forged in Nigeria. 

By assuming the identity of P******* E****** and presenting the forged passport to the immigration officer, the suspect allegedly circulated the forged document, assumed another person’s identity, and fraudulently obtained a record to enter the country.

The officer further explained that on December 13, 2024, the suspect was caught red-handed at the Metehan Gate while attempting to exit the country using an Irish passport issued under the name AOO.

The officer informed the court that the investigation is still in its early stages, with camera footage to be reviewed and statements to be taken. The police requested that the suspect be detained for three days to facilitate the investigation.