Increase in document forgery in Baghdad's government offices, five fraud networks arrested
According to the Iraqi Intelligence Service, five networks have been arrested in the first six months of this year for forging documents and signatures of officials within government institutions.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The phenomenon of forging documents and signatures of officials in government offices in Baghdad is on the rise, with the Iraqi Corruption Commission arresting five major fraud networks over the past six months.
Receipts and letters are issued to citizens in a Baghdad stationary, where workers claim their activities are legal and deny involvement in document forgery. However, in other locations, stamps and documents from Iraqi government ministries are being forged.
Citizens report that those involved in forging official documents are often unknown individuals collaborating with influential figures in the ministries. They allege that any citizen willing to pay a certain amount can have documents forged.
"Earlier, documents were forged in the Muredi market, but now they are gone, and several forgers have been arrested," said Taha Ali, owner of a stationary in Baghdad.
Despite the severe penalties prescribed by the Iraqi Penal Code for those involved in forging official documents, including imprisonment, these measures have not eradicated the problem in government offices.
Legal expert Mukhalid Hazim explained, "The issue destabilizes Iraq, with some government officials being complicit. Other unknown actors are also involved, but the court must resolve this issue."
According to the Iraqi Intelligence Service, five networks have been arrested in the first six months of this year for forging documents and signatures of officials within government institutions.
Additional reporting by Kurdistan24's correspondent Dilan Barzan Mohammed.
