French Woman Arrested For Selling Stolen Passports

[george]

French woman arrested in Thailand for selling stolen passports

BANGKOK: -- A French woman has been arrested on Thailand’s resort island of Samui for selling stolen French passports, immigration police said on Saturday.

Brigitte Aouat, 46, was arrested Thursday in a hotel on the Gulf of Thailand island popular with holidaymakers, police said. She has been transferred to Bangkok to await trial.

“At least 2,000 genuine French passports were stolen, and Aouat sold them on the streets of Bangkok for 40,000 to 50,000 baht (1,000 to 1,250 dollars) each,” an immigration police official said.

Police found Aouat after an Iranian and three Chinese were arrested with stolen passports, which helped them uncover the network, police added.

The French embassy in Bangkok said the passports were from a lot stolen around the southeastern French city of Marseilles, and that Aouat had already sold them in several Asian nations.

“This confirms that Bangkok is one of the main centers for international gangs selling fake or stolen passports,” a French diplomat said.

“Trafficking in passports is a major problem here.”

--AFP 2005-06-25

[A. BOOZER]

French woman arrested in Thailand for selling stolen passports

“At least 2,000 genuine French passports were stolen, and Aouat sold them on the streets of Bangkok for 40,000 to 50,000 baht (1,000 to 1,250 dollars) each,” an immigration police official said.

“This confirms that Bangkok is one of the main centers for international gangs selling fake or stolen passports,” a French diplomat said.

“Trafficking in passports is a major problem here.”

--AFP 2005-06-25

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

2,000 Passports, has she opened a supermarket?

[Scott]

40-50,000 Baht is a lot of money. I shudder to think who is buying them.

[Amethyst]

Those from The African continent would buys them....In Thailand The Nigerians,South Africans, Guinee, Senegalese most all african nationality in Thailand would buys them....

This is all the sindicate....Some african nationals would come to Thailand set up here for acouple of months buys a fake French or Portugese PAssport and fly away....

This is what they do....

Afterall Most africans can Speak French...So thats where it all begins for French passport

[sonnyJ]

Those from The African continent would buys them....In Thailand The Nigerians,South Africans, Guinee, Senegalese most all african nationality in Thailand would buys them....

This is all the sindicate....Some african nationals would come to Thailand set up here for acouple of months buys a fake French or Portugese PAssport and fly away....

This is what they do....

Afterall Most africans can Speak French...So thats where it all begins for French passport

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After efects of colonialism.

[kidtongue]

Those from The African continent would buys them....In Thailand The Nigerians,South Africans, Guinee, Senegalese most all african nationality in Thailand would buys them....

This is all the sindicate....Some african nationals would come to Thailand set up here for acouple of months buys a fake French or Portugese PAssport and fly away....

This is what they do....

After all Most africans can Speak French...So thats where it all begins for French passport

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After efects of colonialism.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Gee, what a surprise There are still 2000 people who want to visit France

[phastmike]

Those from The African continent would buys them....In Thailand The Nigerians,South Africans, Guinee, Senegalese most all african nationality in Thailand would buys them....

This is all the sindicate....Some african nationals would come to Thailand set up here for acouple of months buys a fake French or Portugese PAssport and fly away....

This is what they do....

Afterall Most africans can Speak French...So thats where it all begins for French passport

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think that all nationalities other than those for which mother tongue is english...

and specially from countries that have less restrictions when obtaining a visa.

Edited June 25, 2005 by phastmike

[moebius]

Those from The African continent would buys them....In Thailand The Nigerians,South Africans, Guinee, Senegalese most all african nationality in Thailand would buys them....

This is all the sindicate....Some african nationals would come to Thailand set up here for acouple of months buys a fake French or Portugese PAssport and fly away....

This is what they do....

Afterall Most africans can Speak French...So thats where it all begins for French passport

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After efects of colonialism.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Colonialism? Is that the state of passing the small intestine to the colon? Or after?

[alex100]

Those from The African continent would buys them....In Thailand The Nigerians,South Africans, Guinee, Senegalese most all african nationality in Thailand would buys them....

This is all the sindicate....Some african nationals would come to Thailand set up here for acouple of months buys a fake French or Portugese PAssport and fly away....

This is what they do....

After all Most africans can Speak French...So thats where it all begins for French passport

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After efects of colonialism.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Gee, what a surprise There are still 2000 people who want to visit France

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

French passport = no problem to get into UK - Tony Blair keep it up

[IMA_FARANG]

French woman arrested in Thailand for selling stolen passports

BANGKOK: -- A French woman has been arrested on Thailand’s resort island of Samui for selling stolen French passports, immigration police said on Saturday.

Brigitte Aouat, 46, was arrested Thursday in a hotel on the Gulf of Thailand island popular with holidaymakers, police said. She has been transferred to Bangkok to await trial.

“At least 2,000 genuine French passports were stolen, and Aouat sold them on the streets of Bangkok for 40,000 to 50,000 baht (1,000 to 1,250 dollars) each,” an immigration police official said.

Police found Aouat after an Iranian and three Chinese were arrested with stolen passports, which helped them uncover the network, police added.

The French embassy in Bangkok said the passports were from a lot stolen around the southeastern French city of Marseilles, and that Aouat had already sold them in several Asian nations.

“This confirms that Bangkok is one of the main centers for international gangs selling fake or stolen passports,” a French diplomat said.

“Trafficking in passports is a major problem here.”

--AFP 2005-06-25

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The French embassy in Bangkok said the passports were from a lot stolen around the southeastern French city of Marseilles, and that Aouat had already sold them in several Asian nations.

Note that they were STOLEN legitimate passports. They are not fakes

I expect this is an organized international criminal ring.

She was working for the criminal ring

Wonder if the Thai authorities were tipped off about her?

[TokyoT]

Colonialism? Is that the state of passing the small intestine to the colon? Or after? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Must be after as in many places the post-colonialist period certainly looked like sh*t.

Does that make the colonizer the colon? Or is it just the French?

[Cpt_M0ney_Sh0t]

Why so quick to jump on the Africans? After all the article said 3 Chineese and a Iraninan where picked up. Lets not forget a french passport would be just the thing for a Cambodian with a lil dough looking to get out, OR better yet for someone looking to smuggle in cheap Cambodian labor or sex slaves into France. France did their colonisation thing over there too ya know.

[frenchFARANGbkk]

Gee, what a surprise There are still 2000 people who want to visit France

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, 70 millions a year, number one country for tourism, but I also still do not understand why! (maybe lazy or scared to stay 12 hours in a plane to come here?)

[alex100]

Why so quick to jump on the Africans?   After all the article said 3 Chineese and a Iraninan where picked up. Lets not forget a french passport would be just the thing for a Cambodian with a lil dough looking to get out, OR better yet for someone looking to smuggle in cheap Cambodian labor or sex slaves into France. France did their colonisation thing over there too ya know.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Over 83% of all oversatyers/ dissapearers in the UK are from Africa is this a trend

[penzman]

Looks more like the Morocan mafia has made it to Thailand

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Those from The African continent would buys them....In Thailand The Nigerians,South Africans, Guinee, Senegalese most all african nationality in Thailand would buys them....

This is all the sindicate....Some african nationals would come to Thailand set up here for acouple of months buys a fake French or Portugese PAssport and fly away....

This is what they do....

Afterall Most africans can Speak French...So thats where it all begins for French passport

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After efects of colonialism.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Colonialism? Is that the state of passing the small intestine to the colon? Or after?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After

[Cpt_M0ney_Sh0t]

Why so quick to jump on the Africans?   After all the article said 3 Chineese and a Iraninan where picked up. Lets not forget a french passport would be just the thing for a Cambodian with a lil dough looking to get out, OR better yet for someone looking to smuggle in cheap Cambodian labor or sex slaves into France. France did their colonisation thing over there too ya know.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Over 83% of all oversatyers/ dissapearers in the UK are from Africa is this a trend

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmm we have the same problem with Mexicans here in the States. Though we have a 1000+ mile long boarder with Mexcio... You guys in the UK have easy immigration policies?

[deepdiver]

40-50,000 Baht is a lot of money.  I shudder to think who is buying them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

it's relativly cheap because it's an european passport and with the large amount of arabian people in France it's exually very interresting for terrorist and drugssmugglers to have an extra passport...

[sriracha john]

French woman arrested in Thailand for selling stolen passports

BANGKOK: -- A French woman has been arrested on Thailand’s resort island of Samui for selling stolen French passports, immigration police said on Saturday.

Brigitte Aouat, 46, was arrested Thursday in a hotel on the Gulf of Thailand island popular with holidaymakers, police said. She has been transferred to Bangkok to await trial.

“At least 2,000 genuine French passports were stolen, and Aouat sold them on the streets of Bangkok for 40,000 to 50,000 baht (1,000 to 1,250 dollars) each,” an immigration police official said.

Police found Aouat after an Iranian and three Chinese were arrested with stolen passports, which helped them uncover the network, police added.

The French embassy in Bangkok said the passports were from a lot stolen around the southeastern French city of Marseilles, and that Aouat had already sold them in several Asian nations.

“This confirms that Bangkok is one of the main centers for international gangs selling fake or stolen passports,” a French diplomat said.

“Trafficking in passports is a major problem here.”

--AFP 2005-06-25

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The French embassy in Bangkok said the passports were from a lot stolen around the southeastern French city of Marseilles, and that Aouat had already sold them in several Asian nations.

Note that they were STOLEN legitimate passports. They are not fakes

I expect this is an organized international criminal ring.

She was working for the criminal ring

Wonder if the Thai authorities were tipped off about her?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It was the French Embassy after a Turk squealed on her:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=37749

The arrest came after Thai authorities were notified by the French Embassy that stolen French passports were being sold in Thailand. A Turkish man arrested for selling the passports told police he had gotten the documents from Aouat, he said.

[DaveYo]

Its no secret that passports now a days have become very difficult to make let alone forge them.

So now the thieves have to ante up a bit more by stealing these passports. The paper on these passports and hidden markers plus the coding inside all make it next to impossible to forge.

So also goes the price to get one of those fancy stolen ones if you intend to hide yourself from the authorities of tracking you down.

This woman is a stupid amateur. The real pros don't advertise out in the open, much less want to make any major noise of their business to others. They like it discreet and to have it done quietly.

Daveyo

[brownsugar]

Those from The African continent would buys them....In Thailand The Nigerians,South Africans, Guinee, Senegalese most all african nationality in Thailand would buys them....

This is all the sindicate....Some african nationals would come to Thailand set up here for acouple of months buys a fake French or Portugese PAssport and fly away....

This is what they do....

Afterall Most africans can Speak French...So thats where it all begins for French passport

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

quick round up all the africans!!!!

No Africans were mentioned in the story, how do you make the connection ???

[toklong]

40-50,000 Baht is a lot of money.  I shudder to think who is buying them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nobody is buying them,that's why she is holding 2000.....way over priced

[mnoorsapl]

French woman arrested in Thailand for selling stolen passports

“At least 2,000 genuine French passports were stolen, and Aouat sold them on the streets of Bangkok for 40,000 to 50,000 baht (1,000 to 1,250 dollars) each,” an immigration police official said.

--AFP 2005-06-25

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Stolen? Is that so easy? Posssibly an inside job?.

That not fair, to confirms that Bangkok is one of the main centers for international gangs selling fake or stolen passports as one of the French diplomat had said, after all Aouat had already sold them in several Asian nations.

[maerim]

Its no secret that passports now a days have become very difficult to make let alone forge them

Can't be that difficult Dave as there were over 2,000 spare passports knocking around.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Hang her

[shaunoro]

You will probably find that the pasports were sold by Junkies in France and then reported stolen the the authorities.

This used to happen in Amsterdam about 15 years ago.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

2000 of 'em ?

[sriracha john]

You will probably find that the pasports were sold by Junkies in France and then reported stolen the the authorities.

This used to happen in Amsterdam about 15 years ago.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

To clarify a few issues.

From:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=37749

An investigation by French and Thai authorities showed Aouat had been working with a criminal gang in France that had stolen about 15,000 passports while they were being delivered from a printing company to government offices there, the official said.

and

Brigitte Aouat, 56, was arrested late Thursday for her involvement in a criminal network that stole thousands of passports in France and sold hundreds of them at markets in Bangkok, a Thai immigration official said on condition of anonymity. Some of the passports were altered.

The suspect's hometown was not immediately known, but she had been living in Thailand for at least five years and was arrested after returning to Samui from a visit to Japan.

[StateSix]

Why so quick to jump on the Africans?   After all the article said 3 Chineese and a Iraninan where picked up. Lets not forget a french passport would be just the thing for a Cambodian with a lil dough looking to get out, OR better yet for someone looking to smuggle in cheap Cambodian labor or sex slaves into France. France did their colonisation thing over there too ya know.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Over 83% of all oversatyers/ dissapearers in the UK are from Africa is this a trend

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

83% of overstayers are from Africa? I find that hard to believe. Where did you get this figure from? What aboout the eastern europeans?

[Darkling]

40-50,000 Baht is a lot of money.  I shudder to think who is buying them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Brits i would imagine.