The Potential Hazards Surrounding Counterfeit Passports

Recently in the news have been stories about Israeli diplomats being asked to leave various foreign embassies because of a forged USA passport used by the Israeli secret service to assassinate Mahmoud el Mabhouh. Friday, the 11th of June, 2010, Mabhouh was murdered in Dubai by the agents of Israel's secret service.

The Irish government asked that Israel "withdraw a designated member of its staff" from the Israeli embassy in Ireland, making it the third country to ask an Israeli diplomat to withdraw from the country. The others who also took this action were Britain and Australia. The details are as follows. The Israeli secret police, Mossad, used forged passports to gain entry into Dubai which were traced back to Israel. Forged British and Australian passport were also used which is why Britain and Australia felt the need to expel the diplomats from their country. Israel justified the assassination of Mabhouh by stating that was responsible for smuggling weapons from Iran to the Gaza Strip.

The entire world is being plagued with the effects of forged passports and the identity theft that these stolen documents perpetrate. This is not just a problem in the United States but it has infected countries world wide. This problem has made it evident that stronger, more enforceable regulations and safeguards must be put into place to reduce and hopefully eliminate the crime of falsification of passports. Thieves are using these to steel identities, open fraudulent bank accounts and, as in this case, even taking a life. This crime also provides cover for those who seek to import weapons into a country under the cover of a false identity.

It is shocking if you do an internet search of the words "forged passport" because what you will find will astound you. Numerous website can be found who will offer the service of providing the customer with false identification including U S passports complete with a duplicated RFID chip that is found within a legitimate passport for security purposes. Many a minor has used a website like this to get a false form of identification to enable them to purchase alcohol and tobacco products even though they are not old enough to do this legally.

Stolen passports have put the rights they provide into the hands of thieves and those whose intent it is to cause financial and even bodily harm to law abiding citizens. If your passport is missing and you suspect it may have been stolen, immediately contact a passport agency and it will be voided. It is also important to contact a law enforcement agency to report the crime and all the details surrounding it. Be sure to inform the police when you are certain you had it last and where it was used.

Passports are a wonderful tool when used to promote world peace and understanding by the availability of international travel but when they are forged and used to perpetrate terrible crimes, the exact opposite occurs. Violence and hate are spread abroad rather than understanding and a sense of community. When you need to purchase a passport, be certain you are dealing with a reputable company whether online or off. It can be hard to spot an imitator so do your homework and double check to be sure your information does not end up in the wrong hands. You do not want to be a victim of passport fraud so be sure to keep your passport in a place where you can be certain it won't be stolen or lost. This is important especially when you are traveling. Be smart, be safe and you can be trouble free.