NBI busts family-run forgery ring

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recently arrested a man who allegedly heads a family-run syndicate involved in issuing fake documents used by their clients to apply for visas to enter the United States.

NBI Director Nestor Mantaring identified the arrested suspect as Godofredo Fortich, 67, president and general manager of First Aid Phils. Enterprises (FAPE) located at Manufacturer’s Building in Plaza Sta. Cruz, Manila.

At large are Fortich’s sons, Gerardo and Fulgencio Fortich; his daughters, Gertrudes Fortich Perdio and Delia Fortich Lasaten; and his brother, Paul Fortich.

The suspect said his daughters have left the country for the Middle East, his brother for Baguio, while his sons are still in Manila.

The six members of the Fortich family were charged with syndicated estafa through falsification of public and commercial documents before the Department of Justice.

After receiving a tip about FAPE’s alleged forgery activities, the NBI Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Division (AFCCD) conducted an entrapment operation that resulted in the arrest of the elder Fortich.

According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, FAPE is authorize to trade, import and export commodities, not visa assistance.

The NBI said the syndicate has allegedly been operating since 2002 and asks P150,000 for each approved visa application.

When NBI agents and US Embassy representatives searched the FAPE’s office, they found US visa applications with falsified documents – such as birth and marriage certificates, bank and Bureau of Internal Revenue forms – attached. Out of about 12 to 15 applicants, about four or five are able to get a genuine US visa using fake documents, Fortich said, but noted that not all the documents are fake.