Lebanese woman deported for forging university certificate to obtain a teaching license
Ahmad Khamis: Lebanese nationals in their thirties were referred by the Foreign Affairs Investigation Department to the Administrative Deportation Department after it was established that she obtained a forged university degree with the intent of using it to fulfill one of the requirements for obtaining a driving license in the country.
A security source stated that the apprehension of the foreign national was part of the efforts by competent authorities to scrutinize the academic qualifications submitted by expatriates, alongside monitoring cases of occupational changes and transitions to new jobs. He noted that electronic linkage between relevant entities, including the Public Authority for Manpower, is conducted periodically and contributes to uncovering cases of forgery and manipulation of qualifications and employment data.
The source clarified that the case began with a confidential tip received by investigators regarding the use of a forged university degree by the foreign national to obtain a driving license. The information was verified, and necessary inquiries were conducted, which concluded that she had forged the degree several years ago and used it in procedures related to obtaining a driving license and modifying her employment status.
The source added that investigators summoned the foreign national and interrogated her. She confessed to the forgery, explaining that she resorted to it in order to obtain a driving license, as the university degree requirement did not apply to her since she held only a high school diploma.
According to the source, the foreign national revealed that she contacted a Lebanese expatriate residing in his home country, who managed to obtain a university degree for her despite her lacking a higher education qualification, in exchange for $1,200. She then used the forged degree to fulfill one of the requirements for obtaining a driving license and to modify her employment status.
During the interrogation, the foreign national disclosed to investigators the details of how the forgery was carried out and the location where it was completed. Investigations are ongoing, and necessary legal measures are being taken regarding the incident and the information she provided.
It is worth noting that, according to the ministerial decree regulating the matter, the conditions for expatriates to obtain driving licenses include having resided in the country for two years, holding a university degree, and having a minimum salary of 600 dinars. Certain categories are exempt from some of these conditions in accordance with prevailing regulations. These exemptions include drivers, general agents, passport and affairs agents, provided they hold valid legal driving licenses issued by their home country or any other country, without the need for consular attestation.
The exemptions also include the wives of doctors, pharmacists, university professors, directors, judges, consultants, and specialists in the oil sector working in oil companies, as well as physiotherapy specialists and all technicians in other medical professions, in accordance with the relevant regulations and decisions.
