The Public Prosecution Service has warned government institutions about employees working with forged documents. An investigation by the National Criminal Investigation Department revealed that the government had employed several temporary workers with falsified credentials in recent years.
Today, four suspects appeared in court in Rotterdam, accused of fraud and identity theft. The alleged organizer is also suspected of participating in a criminal organization.
The case surfaced in 2022 when the Public Prosecution Service hired a woman as a legal assistant through an agency. Doubts about her identity arose a month later.
Her diplomas and resume were found to be forged, and she was working under a false name. The prosecution then filed charges against her for fraud, identity theft, and forgery.
The National Criminal Investigation Department’s subsequent investigation identified those organizing the fraud and supplying forged documents to staffing agencies. These documents allowed individuals to work at the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the Tax and Customs Administration, among others.
Some worked under false identities, while others used fake diplomas or false resumes under their real names. The investigation found no evidence of intentions to infiltrate government organizations for criminal purposes, such as embezzling money or information.
However, the suspects exploited organizations in need of large numbers of employees. In total, seven people are suspects.
The case involving the four in court today will continue next year, while the other three, including the woman who worked at the Public Prosecution Service, will be summoned later. The Public Prosecution Service advises government agencies to improve checks on temporary workers to prevent identity fraud.
Source: NOS