More charged over alleged passport scam

Two more people have been charged over the alleged sale of fake passports to Pacific Island overstayers.

The duo appeared in Manukau District Court today with the scam's alleged ringleader Gerard Otimi.

Otimi faces 36 counts of altering a document with intent to deceive, had another charge of giving immigration advice without a licence.

Slade Afakasi faces two charges of altering documents and Eseta Tuiavii three charges, Radio New Zealand reported.

The charges relate to the alleged alteration of Samoan and Tongan passports following the sale of visas issued in the name of a Maori hapu.

The three were granted bail until their next appearance on September 17.

-