What happened?
The Jerusalem Division Police has wrapped up a probe into a widespread operation where individuals impersonated driver’s license applicants, securing over 100 fraudulent licenses.
Why it matters
Fraudulent drivers, potentially including those operating heavy and public transportation vehicles, raise serious safety concerns and undermine the integrity of the licensing process.
The Operatives
Out of the seven individuals to be charged, four are members of the same East Jerusalem family, allegedly the architects of the scheme. These suspects used various disguises, including wigs and costumes, to trick the testing system.
The Examination
Irregularities were first detected by the licensing division’s examiners in Israel’s northern region, who noticed business as usual among suspects carrying multiple identities for the driver’s test – tipping off the authorities.
The Scope
Investigations by the traffic division identified over 100 instances of fraudulent licensing, with those impersonated paying hefty sums for each successful test. This illegal facilitation concerns not just passenger cars but extends to operators of trucks and public vehicles.
The Crackdown
A synchronized operation eventually led to the arrest and questioning of 22 suspects, including the immediate family at the helm. Police also seized disguises and vehicles used in coordinating the fraudulent practices.
What Next?
An affiliate scrutiny is underway to chasedown the specifics of how these illegitimate licenses were filtered into the official stream.
Bottom line
This disruption of an intricate impersonation network led by a group primarily based in East Jerusalem signifies a substantial stride towards reinstating the integrity of on-road licensing—a quintessential factor for ensuring communal road safety.
This story was first published on jpost.com.