FIRST NIV FRAUD CASE FOR EMBASSY MASERU

UNCLAS MASERU 000401 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR FPP AND CA/VO: MICHELLE URBANCIC JOHANNESBURG FOR RCO KENT MAY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFRD ASEC CVIS CMGT LT SUBJECT: FIRST NIV FRAUD CASE FOR EMBASSY MASERU ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Visa application from a third country national claiming to be a Lesotho citizen confirms rumored corruption within the office of Lesotho Passport Services. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On September 14, 2009, an individual of Indian descent claiming to be a Lesotho national, applied for a tourist visa presenting a copy of a lost Lesotho passport issued in July 2008, along with a valid Lesotho passport issued in January ¶2009. Conoff requested a certificate of naturalization; however applicant stated that he was sworn in two weeks prior to the date of interview and that a certificate had not yet been issued. Case was referred for fraud investigation due to prior reports of passport fraud within the Lesotho passport agency. In the following days, post met with a newly appointed Lesotho Passport Services Director under the Ministry of Home Affairs, to discuss the situation. ¶3. (SBU) Meanwhile, on October 5, applicant presented himself for interview submitting a Certificate of Naturalization dated September 28, 2009. This certificate states that citizenship was granted with effect the date that the certificate was issued. Within days, the Passport Director called the office to inform us that the applicant contacted him directly, and requested his assistance in obtaining documentation to present to the U.S. Embassy to assist in his request for a visa. Throughout the Director's investigation, it was discovered that the applicant had obtained two Lesotho passports with the help of the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. On October 22, the Director extended a letter to post verifying the legitimacy of the passports and naturalization certificate issued to the applicant. Furthermore, he called to inform us that the applicant had acquaintances with high ranking officials, and that he was not in a position to extend a letter revealing the results of his investigation. ¶4. (SBU) This is only one example of a case in which reports from concerned Lesotho government officials over the ease of acquiring legitimate travel documents for both Basotho and third country nationals from other government officials, has been confirmed. Applicant misrepresented himself on September 14, 2009, claiming to be a Lesotho national, where in fact, naturalization had not been officially granted until September 28, 2009. Post considers this case closed. NOLAN