Dozens hand over forged licences

Photo / Martin Sykes

More than 60 students and their parents have handed in fake drivers' licences at police stations around Auckland since news broke of the arrest of their alleged maker.

But dozens of other people who bought the $100 forgeries may never be found as police suspect the names were made up by tourists to hire rental cars and obtain credit.

"Some of them have obviously left the country," said Detective Sergeant James Watson. "They are quite clearly tourists and they've obtained the licences, probably through word of mouth at backpackers or just downtown on the street in Auckland.

"New Zealand drivers' licences are regarded as pretty strong forms of ID ... You can go into a Harvey Norman and get credit with a driver's licence."

A computer the police seized contained a database of 250 people who had received the licences. By 5pm yesterday, officers had contacted 105 to tell them to hand over the fakes.

Most were present or past students of Auckland high schools - at least 15 colleges were named - and had used the licences to buy alcohol or enter bars. Mr Watson said they were let off with a warning.

"Quite often the parents found out and brought them straight in," he said. By the time the students left the police station, "they're well aware of how serious it was and happy that we've just warned them. I'm pretty sure they won't be doing it again".

"The phone has been going every five or 10 minutes with parents worried about what's happening and I've explained to them the situation."

Mr Watson said he had recognised two photos of men - aged over 18 - on the licences as wanted criminals who were using fake names.

One was overseas, and police were looking for the other man. The pair would probably be charged with obtaining and using false documents, a charge that carries a sentence of imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Detectives had put alerts on the 250 IDs so that if the names cropped up in the police system they would be linked to the database.

Mr Watson said the fake licences did not have a hologram on them and were smoother and shinier than real ones.

Police became aware of the suspect's database after noticing an increase in the number of fake IDs turning up on the North Shore.

Mr Watson said some of the licence-holders had found out about them via internet gaming sites. However, he could not talk about how they were made and distributed, as the matter was before the courts.

"But it's fair to say that students use their phones a lot and [with] word-of-mouth and texting, you can get a message across Auckland within minutes."

Anyone with a fake licence can contact the police on 0800 243-892.

* Student Marcus Lim, 17, formerly of Cambodia, has been charged with forgery and will appear in the North Shore District Court on November 30.