State Police, Federal Authorities Concerned About Fake IDs
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Fake IDs were seized in a recent raid and they were headed for local college campuses.
KDKA Investigator Marty Griffin reports investigators say they're more worried that fake IDs this good could fall into the hands of criminals – even terrorists.
The real fear of investigators is where the fake IDs come from. A website out of China produces the IDs – hologram and all – and it's difficult for even police to detect.
"They're the best I've ever seen as far as being close to authentic," State Police Trooper Herbert Rieger said.
These particular IDs are so good, underage college students use them to get past bouncers at bars who use black light and high-tech scanners that pull up the information on the license to determine authenticity and they pass.
Federal agents intercepted a recent shipment of the fake IDs about the same time authorities were investigating counterfeit Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys. The concern there – fraud.
Federal agents say the concern with fake IDs is illegal immigrants – even terrorists -- using similar websites to make the fakes. A website, a company that now has the personal information of thousands of college students.
Federal authorities cannot discuss specifics, but indicate this sort of criminal enterprise has caught their attention.
"It's because of the ability to re-manufacture these things with the computer technology that's out there today – that's why we set up the document task forces that are addressing these type of issues," Scott Best with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.
Federal authorities are so concerned about illegal documents, they have established a task force out of Philadelphia to investigate cases.
Meantime, State police want college students and their parents to know this is a serious matter – not only against the law, but a real concern regarding what the illegal overseas companies will do with the student's personal information.
RELATED LINKS
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Pennsylvania State Police
