UP: STF busts fake passport racket

Lucknow, Jan 14: The Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh police today busted a fake passport and visa racket and arrested four people from Mumbai.

The STF claimed that by using fake passports and visas, the gang used to send people from east Uttar Pradesh to Dubai via Malaysia and Singapore. ''Most of the persons sent to Dubai were involved with the D Company and the gang used to work as a conduit for sending men and material to Dawood Ibrahim,'' said an STF official who was part of the operation.

All those arrested hailed from Mumbai. ''Their kingpin, Rathe alias Dada Sen, managed to escape...several women are also part of the gang which has its roots in East UP,'' said the official.

Those arrested have been identified as Sultan Haider, Sam Joseph D' Souza, Julian D'Souza and Ashok Gaura.

''A case was filed against the gang by a city-based person who claimed that he was duped of his money and was never sent abroad...we are working on the gang's links in UP and more arrests are likely in the coming days,'' he added.

UNI