Three young men were arrested for creating a fake documents website, which generated more than 2.7 million titles.
Two men aged 20 and 23 were arrested on March 26, suspected of having run this website in question. The latter also offered tutorials for committing different types of offenses as well as kits for false identity documents.
The two men, who are to be tried on September 10, 2024 in Paris, admitted the facts. The third was exonerated. But ” their primary goal was not to make money “. This case is reminiscent of the duo of forgers, Anthony the computer scientist and Aurélien the baker, who had sold false identity documents since the COVID-19 pandemic.
A long investigation carried out by the office combating the smuggling of migrants
The investigation began in August 2022, when the Office for Combating Smuggling of Migrants (OLTIM) spotted the forum administered by the two men. The site, accessible to all, recorded nearly 150,000 visitors per month. Those responsible for the site did not hesitate to advertise on social networks and other internet pages.
The two individuals allegedly responsible for the Selkis.Online forum are also suspected of having launched another site in September 2021 specializing in the production of false documents. Their offerings ranged from fake IDs of various nationalities to fake salary statements, as long as users made do with digital versions of the documents.
Described as gamers and computer enthusiasts, the two men seemed more driven by the idea of playing by the rules than by the lure of profit. Most of their services were available for free, but they offered additional options for a fee. The site attracted nearly 54,000 visitors per day.
Warning and sanctions incurred after closure of the site
In August 2023, the two men decided to close the page, causing discontent among users. Today, those who visit the forum come across four dissuasive logos: that of JUNALCO, OLTIM, the Anti-Cybercrime Office (OFAC) and the national police. In the middle, the words “ This website has been seized » is written in capital letters.
“ They are brilliant. They are well versed in digital tools. They are not drug traffickers. Their primary goal was not to make money. There was a desire to challenge authority. They were not targeting a particular audience. It was all-out, for fugitives, migrants, crooks », Specified the number two of OLTIM, Fabrice Saugner, to AFP.
These false documents are coveted by illegal immigration networks, but can also be used for all types of fraud. During the investigation, 30,000 euros in bitcoin were seized. The two young men, left free under judicial supervision, will have to answer, in the fall, for “ fraud carried out by an organized gang » or “ habitual fraudulent provision of administrative documents “. They face 10 years in prison and a fine of 1 million euros.
At a time when the government is going paperless at all costs, notably with France Identity, which allows you to replace your identity card, smart people who want to try their hand at hacking would be much better intentioned if they hacked a government site which can, against all expectations, bring in… up to 20,000 euros.
Source : Le Figaro
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