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The RCMP
have smashed a Toronto-based ring that provided wealthy Somalis
with fake identities after schooling them on everyday life
in Canada's largest city.
Const.
Chris O'Keefe said the scam surfaced after a Toronto man was
arrested last week at Pearson airport while boarding a flight
for Somalia via the U.S. O'Keefe said U.S. Customs officers
found two identity kits with fake Canadian passports, social
insurance and citizenship cards made out for two Somali men,
aged 24 and 27.
SERVICE
FOR THE WEALTHY
The Mounties
said forgers charged about $16,000 each for the packages,
which helped the immigrants appear to be Canadian citizens.
"These
people would have the money and means to pay to come here,"
O'Keefe said. "The rate sometimes includes an escort who travels
with them."
Police
suspect the identity kits are being used by the children of
wealthy Somalis to come here to study.
Most other
Somalis arriving in Canada simply claim refugee status.
O'Keefe
said officers also seized two "info kits," featuring information
about Toronto.
"They
have schools over there to coach people on what to say if
questioned," he said.
Abdi Hasan
Galan, 45, has been charged with possession of forged documents.
He was released on bail.
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