Filenews 16 December 2024 - by Fanis Makrides
The phenomenon of holders of fake driving licenses of an apprentice can be described as a "bomb" on Cypriot roads.
A large number of foreigners have obtained fake driving licences and use Cypriot roads daily riding motorcycles.
The existence of these student permits emerged during the examination of a case by the Pafos Crime Detection Department. In particular, a person who was alleged to be the counterfeiter in the case, namely the one who issued and sold those licences, was arrested.
However, it seems that the permits reached a large number of persons all over Cyprus. It is indicative that such a permit came into the possession of the Department of Road Transport in Nicosia, which filed a relevant complaint with the Police.
In another case, such a permit was detected by the Citizen Service Centre in Famagusta, which also alerted the prosecuting authorities.
The Police and in particular the Criminal Investigation Service (YPEGE) have already taken measures to address the phenomenon. Specifically, an internal note last Thursday (12/12) notified all the Police Directors of Districts (Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaka, Paphos and Morfou).
In fact, this note includes a detailed description of these "fake Cypriot apprentice driving licences".
There is talk of 'fake licences which are fully processed and bear a photograph and details of foreign persons'.
The note drawn up by the Ministry of Defence includes "a picture of a Cypriot driver's licence for an apprentice showing with arrows all the points he can easily locate in order to ascertain prima facie any forgery".
It should be noted that within the first 10 days of this month, a case of arrest of a 25-year-old man in Paphos had been made public (reporter.com.cy). Around 40 fake driving licences were found in his possession, which he allegedly sold for a fee. The same information said the licenses were being sold for €100 each.
