The Labour government is milking press reports that only seven cases of fraud were identified in the Identità (Identity) Malta case. The case involved public officers at Identity Malta who are accused of distributing fake ID Cards to third-country nationals using addresses which were not theirs. Labour is now attacking the Opposition on the back of these claims that the case been blown out of proportion.
Unlike what the government is trying to claim, there were not only seven cases of fraud.
In reality, the press reports on the seven cases is only a quote by Identity Malta that said that it identified seven third-country nationals who had a fake ID Card. The Police have also confirmed the same individuals and some of these individuals are also currently being brought to testify in Court. These individuals are only a sample of what was a much wider racket and forcing all of the TCNs involved would be an extensive logistical challenge. Many of these TCNs don’t even live in Malta anymore.
The former head of compliance at Identity Malta said that he found only 16 fraudulent cases, however one has to keep in mind that it is also in his interest to downplay the case. Bernard Attard, one of those involved in facilitating the ID Card racket, is also accused of running a prostitution and human-trafficking operation. He has also been investigated for his unexplained wealth.
There is also a pending Magisterial Inquiry on the wider scope of the racket, which may also be shot down thanks to the government’s new reforms on Magisterial Inquiries.
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