India Exposes Identity Fraud at Mumbai Airport with Man Holding Three Passports

Key Takeaways

• In 2025, Mumbai Airport caught Sameer Mamodia using three passports and dual citizenship illegally.
• He used a fake Indian passport to fraudulently obtain Portuguese and British citizenships over seven years.
• Officials and police registered FIR; CBI investigates corruption in passport issuance and fraud.

A major identity fraud case has shaken India’s immigration system after a 37-year-old man, Sameer Mamodia, was caught at Mumbai Airport holding three passports and dual citizenship. The incident, which unfolded on June 17, 2025, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, has exposed deep flaws in passport issuance and verification processes, raising urgent questions about document security, corruption, and the risks faced by genuine travelers.

Who, What, When, Where, and How: The Lead

On June 17, 2025, immigration officers at Mumbai Airport stopped Sameer Mamodia (whose real name is Sameer Lakhaani) as he arrived from London using a British passport. Authorities quickly discovered that he was flagged on a lookout notice. During questioning, they found he was carrying three passports: a fake Indian passport under the name Sameer Mamodia, a Portuguese passport, and a British passport. Investigators determined that he had fraudulently obtained both the Portuguese and British citizenships by using the fake Indian passport. The case has since been handed over to the Sahar police for further investigation, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered.

How the Fraud Was Uncovered

The detection of this identity fraud at Mumbai Airport was the result of careful work by immigration officials. Officer Prasad Maghade noticed irregularities during the passport check, and Wing In-Charge Dinesh Pingulsar led the subsequent questioning. Their vigilance revealed that Sameer Mamodia was not only traveling under a false identity but had also managed to build a complex web of citizenship claims over at least seven years.

The Chain of Fraudulent Actions

The fraudulent scheme followed a step-by-step process:

1. Original Identity and Visa Denial: Sameer Lakhaani originally held a legitimate Indian passport. In 2008, he tried to get a visa to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 but was denied.
2. Creation of a Fake Identity: In 2015, he obtained a fake Indian passport under the name Sameer Mamodia, claiming to live in Diu-Daman. He used false documents about himself and his mother to get this passport from the Mumbai passport office.
3. Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship: Using the fake Indian passport, he claimed to be the son of a Portuguese national and secured Portuguese citizenship.
4. International Travel: With the Portuguese passport, he traveled between India 🇮🇳 and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 at least twice.
5. Acquiring British Citizenship: He then used his Portuguese citizenship and travel history to obtain a British passport.
6. Continued Travel and Final Arrest: He continued to travel internationally using these documents until he was finally caught at Mumbai Airport in 2025.

The Scale and Impact of the Fraud

This case of identity fraud at Mumbai Airport is not just about one individual. It highlights serious weaknesses in the passport system and the dangers posed by corruption and poor verification. The fraud lasted at least seven years, from 2015 to 2025, and involved multiple international trips using fake documents.

Quantitative Details

• Three Passports: Indian (fake), Portuguese, and British.
• Dual Citizenship: Held both Portuguese and British citizenships, both obtained fraudulently.
• International Travel: Used the Portuguese and British passports to travel between India 🇮🇳 and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 multiple times.
• Fake Documents: The Indian passport was obtained with forged documents at the Mumbai passport office.

Stakeholders and Official Response

The case has drawn attention from several key stakeholders:

• Immigration Officers: Prasad Maghade and Dinesh Pingulsar played central roles in detecting and investigating the fraud at Mumbai Airport.
• Mumbai Police and Sahar Police: Registered the FIR and are leading the ongoing investigation.
• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): The CBI has been involved in related passport fraud and corruption cases, arresting officials and agents for issuing fake passports and accepting bribes.
• Ministry of External Affairs: Responsible for passport issuance and policy, now under pressure to tighten controls.

Vulnerabilities in the Passport System

The case of Sameer Mamodia exposes several vulnerabilities in India’s passport system:

• Weak Identity Verification: The ability to obtain a fake Indian passport using forged documents shows that identity checks can be bypassed.
• Corruption and Collusion: The CBI has arrested passport officials and agents in other cases for accepting bribes and issuing fake passports, suggesting that internal corruption is a real risk.
• Lack of Data Sharing: The use of multiple passports and dual citizenships makes detection difficult, especially when countries do not share data effectively.
• Document Authentication Gaps: The system failed to catch the forged documents at the time of passport issuance.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these weaknesses are not unique to India 🇮🇳. Many countries face similar challenges, especially when dealing with sophisticated identity fraud schemes that cross borders.

Legal and Policy Implications

Indian Law on Dual Citizenship

Indian law does not allow dual citizenship. This means that holding an Indian passport and a foreign passport at the same time is illegal. In this case, Sameer Mamodia’s possession of both Indian and foreign passports adds a criminal dimension to his actions.

Passport Fraud as a Crime

Passport fraud is a serious crime under Indian law. It can lead to:

• Criminal Charges: For forging documents, making false claims, and obtaining passports illegally.
• Loss of Citizenship: If foreign citizenship is obtained fraudulently, it can be revoked.
• Travel Bans: Individuals found guilty can be banned from traveling abroad.

Impact on Genuine Applicants

For genuine passport applicants, cases like this can have real consequences:

• Longer Processing Times: Authorities may introduce stricter checks, leading to delays.
• More Documents Required: Applicants may need to provide more proof of identity and background.
• Increased Scrutiny: Applications involving foreign citizenship or residency claims will face tighter review.

Historical Context: Passport Fraud in India

Passport fraud and corruption have been ongoing problems in India 🇮🇳 for years. The Central Bureau of Investigation has stepped up efforts to fight these crimes, arresting officials and agents who help people get fake passports. The government has tried to improve the system by digitizing records and making the Passport Seva system more secure, but challenges remain.

Recent Crackdowns

• CBI Arrests: The CBI has arrested several passport assistants and agents for issuing fake passports and accepting bribes.
• Policy Reforms: The government is working to make the passport system more secure, including using biometric data and digital records.

How the Fraud Was Possible: A Step-by-Step Look

To help readers understand how such a fraud could happen, here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Failed Visa Attempt: The individual’s original attempt to get a UK visa failed, possibly leading him to seek other ways to travel.
2. Fake Identity Creation: By creating a new identity with forged documents, he was able to get a new Indian passport.
3. Foreign Citizenship Claim: Using the fake Indian passport, he claimed to be related to a Portuguese national, which helped him get Portuguese citizenship.
4. Travel and More Fraud: With the Portuguese passport, he traveled internationally and then used that status to get a British passport.
5. Continued Use: He used these documents for years, traveling between countries until finally caught.

Expert Perspectives

Security and legal experts have weighed in on the case:

• Security Experts: Say that multi-layered identity frauds like this one take advantage of weak data sharing and verification between countries.
• Immigration Officials: Point out that having multiple passports and dual citizenships makes it harder to catch fraud, especially when documents look real.
• Anti-Corruption Agencies: Stress that internal collusion and corruption are key problems, as seen in recent arrests of passport officials.
• Legal Experts: Remind that Indian law forbids dual citizenship, so holding both Indian and foreign passports is a crime.

Policy Changes and Future Outlook

This case is likely to lead to several changes in how passports are issued and checked in India 🇮🇳:

• Stricter Verification: Authorities may require more documents and use better technology, such as biometric checks, to confirm identities.
• Better Data Sharing: There may be new agreements with other countries to share information about passport holders and citizenship claims.
• More Surveillance: People with multiple citizenships or suspicious travel histories may face closer monitoring.
• Tougher Penalties: Laws may be updated to increase penalties for identity fraud and illegal dual citizenship.

Implications for Stakeholders

For Travelers

• Genuine travelers may face longer waits and more questions when applying for passports or visas.
• People with dual citizenships (even if legal in other countries) may face extra scrutiny in India 🇮🇳.

For Immigration Officials

• Increased Workload: More checks and longer investigations will be needed.
• Training Needs: Officials will need better training to spot fake documents and suspicious patterns.

For Policy Makers

• Pressure to Reform: There will be calls for new laws and better systems to prevent fraud.
• Public Trust: Restoring trust in the passport system will be a top priority.

For Anti-Corruption Agencies

• Ongoing Investigations: Agencies like the CBI will continue to look for corrupt officials and agents.
• System Reforms: Efforts to make the passport system more transparent and secure will be stepped up.

What Can Applicants Do?

If you are applying for a passport or visa, here are some steps to protect yourself and avoid problems:

• Use Only Official Channels: Always apply through the official Passport Seva website or authorized centers.
• Provide True Information: Never use false documents or make false claims.
• Keep Records: Save copies of all your documents and application receipts.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you are approached by someone offering to get you a passport quickly for extra money, report it to the police or passport office.

Official Resources

For more information or to report passport fraud, you can contact:

• Mumbai Police, Sahar Police Station: Handles FIRs and investigations related to passport fraud.
• Ministry of External Affairs, Passport Seva Division: Responsible for passport issuance and policy.
• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Mumbai Unit: Investigates corruption and fraud in passport offices.
• Official Passport Seva Website: https://portal2.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/welcomeLink

Conclusion: Lessons from the Mumbai Airport Identity Fraud Case

The case of Sameer Mamodia at Mumbai Airport is a wake-up call for India 🇮🇳 and other countries facing similar risks. It shows how determined individuals can exploit weaknesses in the system, sometimes with the help of corrupt officials, to create false identities and travel freely. The response from authorities—including police, immigration officers, and anti-corruption agencies—will shape the future of passport security in India 🇮🇳.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the ongoing investigation will likely lead to tougher rules, better technology, and more careful checks for everyone applying for passports or visas. While these changes may cause some inconvenience for genuine travelers, they are necessary to protect the integrity of the system and keep borders secure.

For anyone planning to travel or apply for a passport, the message is clear: always use legal channels, provide honest information, and be prepared for stricter checks in the future. The fight against identity fraud is ongoing, but with stronger systems and greater awareness, it is possible to build a safer and more trustworthy process for everyone.

Learn Today

Dual Citizenship → Legal status allowing a person to be a citizen of two countries, illegal in India.
First Information Report (FIR) → The official police report registered to start an investigation in India.
Passport Seva → India’s official passport issuance system using digital and biometric technologies.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) → India’s premier investigative agency focusing on corruption and serious crimes.
Forgery → The act of creating false documents or altering genuine ones to deceive authorities.

This Article in a Nutshell

Sameer Mamodia’s 2025 arrest at Mumbai Airport revealed serious passport system flaws. Carrying three passports, he fraudulently gained dual citizenship using a fake Indian passport, spurring investigations into corruption, document security, and stricter identity controls to protect immigration integrity in India and beyond.
— By VisaVerge.com