A 32-year-old Turkish citizen was detained at Vilnius International Airport, Lithuania’s capital, for possessing a fake Schengen visa in his passport. According to the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, the incident occurred on Tuesday night during a flight arriving from Munich.
Officials discovered that the passenger carried a multiple-entry Schengen visa purportedly issued by France. However, during passport control, inconsistencies were found in the visa’s dates. A detailed examination revealed signs of tampering and damage to the security features on the document.
Inconsistent Dates, Scratched Paper
Official records showed the visa issued to the Turkish citizen was valid from February 9, 2022, to April 9, 2025. However, the passport showed a date range of February 9, 2022, to February 9, 2025, which drew authorities’ attention. Experts confirmed that these discrepancies clearly indicated visa forgery.
Temporary Detention and Pre-Trial Investigation Launched
Lithuanian authorities placed the individual suspected of visa fraud in the temporary detention center of the Vilnius Border Guard Unit. A formal pre-trial investigation has been initiated, including inquiries into the suspect’s purpose for entering Lithuania and any potential other connections.
Criminal Penalties Under Lithuanian Law
Under Lithuanian law, individuals attempting to enter the country with forged documents may face:
-
Fines,
-
Community service,
-
Or imprisonment for up to three years.
Officials stated that the final decision will depend on the outcome of the investigation, with further details regarding the detainee’s status expected in the coming days.
EU Implements Digital Tracking System to Combat Forgery Attempts
Due to rising cases of fake visas and identity documents, the European Union (EU) is set to launch the Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital monitoring infrastructure. This system will record biometric data of every foreign visitor entering the Schengen area to more effectively prevent identity fraud and violations of permitted stay durations.
