A SCAM AT the Ministry of National Security's Immigration, Citizenship, and Passport Services Department, popularly known as the Passport Office, on Constant Spring Road, St. Andrew, has been uncovered by THE STAR.
Persons at the Passport Office have been selling 'front spaces' in the line to conduct transaction at the office, although protocol is for a 'first come, first serve' basis.
The persons involved in the scam have been illegally charging a fee of $500 for customers to book a space in the line a day in advance. While conducting an undercover investigation, THE STAR approached one of the persons at the office with the request to 'beat the system'.
"You nuh dun know di system already, jus gi mi a Nanny ($500) an mi promise seh when yu come a morning yuh nu haffi wait fi get through," assured the person that was approached.
Most of the customers interviewed at the office had no knowledge of this practice, and were quite upset that they had been forced to wait prolonged periods, while others could pay their way ahead.
"This is disgusting and unfair to people like me who have to travel from far to get here, an people can jus come an go before me," said a lady who just left the Passport Office.
The middle-age woman came from Spanish Town, St. Catherine, to renew her passport, and said she had to wait just under two hours.
However, while most persons questioned were of a similar view, some were actually supportive of the tempting deal. "Bwoy, a long time mi a wait, an if mi did know bout it mi woulda pay fi get through 'cause trus mi man, a long time mi in deh," joked a man, who just exited the office.
When contacted, a representative of the management team for the Passport Office was surprised that such a scam was taking place beneath their noses.
"Thank you for the information that you have brought to me, and we will be acting on it," replied the representative, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
If the office through its investigation is able to find the person conducting the scam then, according to a representative at the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) office, this person can be reprimanded by the management of the company for violating the Staff Order of the Services Commission.
It is also possible, the DPP representative said, that if the
company desired to have the person prosecuted, he/she may be in found in breach
of section 14 (a) of the Corruption Prevention Act.
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