The Search and Follow-up Department of the Ministry of Interior has arrested a gang of nine for selling visas. This criminal act contravenes Law No. (21) of 2015 regulating the entry and exit of expatriates and their residency.
Brigadier Abdullah Jaber Al Labdah, director of Search and Follow-up Department, said that administration conducts many inspections throughout the country to find violators, who sell visas using fake companies.
The gang of nine was caught along with documents by the officials while they were trying to sell a visa to someone sent by the department.
Captain Omar Khalifa Al Rumaihi, head of Search and Investigation Department, explained that they seized nine people of African and Asian nationalities after receiving tipoffs that some people are posting and promoting visa trade on social media.
"After confirming the authenticity of the information, the department kept an eye on the members of the gang and a warrant was issued by the Public Prosecution to arrest the accused. The gang was caught red-handed while trying to sell a visa, for financial compensation, to someone who was sent by the authorities. The Search and Investigation team was able to arrest all the accused and seized number of stamps, identity cards, bank cards, and cash from them. The accused were referred to the prosecution to complete legal procedures,” he added.
He called on all citizens and expatriates not to deal with fleeing workers or employ them, stressing that the administration is conducting inspections to catch all the violators.
He also urged company owners to not give their IDs to unknown people or authorize people who are not to be trusted in their company for official work. He also advised companies to notify immediately about fleeing workers with all information that is available with them.
