Cabinet to crack down on passport fraud

Those trading in or using counterfeit passports could soon face jail terms, according to draft amendments to passport laws, a Cabinet spokesman said yesterday.

The spokesman made the remarks after the Cabinet approved a draft package proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at its weekly meeting. The package is in step with the government's decision to crack down on passport-related crime.

Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) was quoted as saying at the Cabinet meeting that the government was determined to meet international standards of safety and convenience now that countries around the world have increased travel document security measures as part of the global war on terrorism in the wake of the 911 terrorist attacks.

This new round of revisions focuses on two points -- the inclusion of rules on encrypting personal data and photos in chips built into passports and the prevention of passport-related crime, the premier said.

According to the ministry's proposed amendments, those involved in the trade of passports or who use their passports as collateral that may lead to damaging the public interest, as well as anyone who otherwise improperly uses passports, would face a maximum five-year prison term plus a fine of up to NT$500,000 (US$15,317).

The same penalties apply to those who provide their personal data and identification cards to criminal rings or other individuals for the purpose of applying for passports, as well as anyone involved in passport forgery or tampering.

The draft package will be referred to the legislature for approval in the near future, the spokesman said.