Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 14: The City Special Bureau (CSB) police have uncovered a fake passport racket where a woman successfully travelled to Israel by fraudulently using the identity documents of another local resident. Based on a complaint filed by Mangaluru CSB inspector Gopalakrishna Bhat B, the Ullal police have registered a case against three individuals.

The accused have been identified as Preetha D'Souza (the traveller), Yashodha Keshava, a resident of Ullal Bail in Thokkottu, and Prem D'Souza from Ullal.

According to the police, the scam came to light following a credible tip-off received on May 8. A confidential investigation into passport application number BNX067061521924 revealed a glaring discrepancy between the applicant's personal details and the photograph submitted.

The investigation confirmed that the name and address on the application belonged to Yashodha Keshava. However, the applicant had handwritten the name 'Yashodha Keshava' in English and affixed the photograph of Preetha D'Souza. The signature on the document was also forged by Preetha to match Yashodha's name.

Using the fraudulently obtained passport (number C4042172), Preetha D'Souza successfully boarded a flight and travelled to Israel via Mumbai International Airport on March 17, 2025.

Police stated that Prem D'Souza orchestrated the entire illegal scheme to send Preetha abroad. Furthermore, Yashodha allegedly colluded in the crime by willingly providing her identity documents for the fraudulent application while continuing to safely reside within the Ullal police station limits.

The Ullal police have registered a case against the trio for criminal conspiracy, forgery, and cheating, and further investigations into the racket are underway.