Mumbai Airport Fraud: 6 Afghan Nationals Arrested Over Allegedly Fraudulent Indian Passports, Fake Identities

According to Mumbai police, six Afghan nationals were apprehended in August and September of last year at the city's international airport for allegedly using counterfeit Indian passports. Five cases have been registered by the Sahar police in connection with the arrests.

Niyaz Khan, 41, was taken into custody on August 6. Police allege that he obtained Indian passports in Thane in 2015 and Mumbai in 2025. The passports were reportedly issued using a false birthplace. During his arrest, officers discovered a counterfeit voter ID card and other suspicious documents linked to the passports.

Gul Shirulla, intercepted while attempting to fly to Dubai on August 7, was also arrested. The investigation revealed that he had obtained a passport in 2025 using a false birthplace as well. Police reported that he attempted to erase his phone before being apprehended.

Hamdullah Haji Lahoor, 37, was detained on September 11. He allegedly used the false name "Khalijan Shaikh" when obtaining his passport in 2022. The documents show that he had traveled to Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. Sherbat Khan and Sujan Khan, arrested on September 17, also used false birthplaces to secure their passports. Both were caught upon their return from Dubai.

Amjad Khan, 40, was apprehended on September 21. According to investigators, he entered India in 2015 under the false name Mohammad Khalid. He allegedly obtained a passport in 2018 by providing false details. In each case, forged identity documents were recovered during the arrests.