The Costa Rica Star has recently published information about receiving your permanent residency in Costa Rica to avoid border runs, wasting time, and money.

Investigators from the Immigration Service in Costa Rica arrested three individuals suspected of operating a brazen document forgery ring that specialized in fake passports, work permits, residency cards, and even tourist visas to enter the United States. The three suspects were apprehended at a residence in Hatillo and right outside of the main immigration center in La Uruca.

According to the official press release by the Ministry of Public Safety, the ring was known to have been operational in Costa Rica since at least February. Two men and one woman were arrested and several pieces of equipment were confiscated; including: official seals, stationery, scanners, printers, computers, USB drives, cell phones, and even passports.

The investigation began a few months ago when foreigners were found in Costa Rica with work permits that looked like they had been processed and issued by immigration authorities, but did not appear on electronic databases. The foreigners claimed they were duped and agreed to collaborate. Investigators first intercepted the point woman who obtained her clientele just outside of the immigration building. The initial approach was in person, but subsequent dealings were conducted by telephone. The delivery of documents was made in person, and the average cost of each transaction was about $40.

The ringleader was known to immigration investigators as a veteran forger and front man for illegal immigrants.

In early April, The Costa Rica Star reported on another passport and visa scheme specially geared towards perpetual tourists who did not wish to make visa runs. According to an article by journalist David Delgado from La Nacion, and immigration officer by the last name of Valerio was caught with seven passports that he attempted to hide in his uniform. Six were American passports, one was Canadian.

Valerio had been working as an immigration officer for three years, and it is presumed that he intended to stamp the passports and falsify entry and exit records on the Migratory Movement Electronic Records System (Spanish acronym: SIMMEL). Mr. Valerio was detained on suspicion of having accepted bribes in exchange for immigration stamps.