Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MASERU401
2009-11-12 15:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:  

FIRST NIV FRAUD CASE FOR EMBASSY MASERU

Tags:  KFRD ASEC CVIS CMGT LT 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6106
RR RUEHJO RUEHMR
DE RUEHMR #0401 3161527
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121527Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4472
INFO RUEHPNH/NVC PORTSMOUTH NH
RUEHJO/AMCONSUL JOHANNESBURG 0293
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4906
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

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