Stolen Passports & Forged Belonger Cards Out Of DR Force Changes At Passport Office
BVI Platinum News
Updated: January 15, 2013 8:11 am AST
Published: January 14, 2013 12:43 pm AST
Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News/Clifton Skelton
Due to stolen passports and forged Belonger cards, the Civil Registry and Passport Office was forced to have applicants appear in person for both application and collection. This was disclosed by Mrs. Stephanie Benn, Registrar General.

Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal, Opposition Leader and Representative of the Ninth District during the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) deliberations, asked if children and grandchildren of BVIslanders had to appear in person for their Belonger card to be issued.

Benn said the card was changed to a more high-tech version and all applicants or card holders have to appear in person.

She also advised that persons do not have to make a special trip just to change their card, since they could set up an appointment for whenever they are visiting because the office is very accommodating.

Hon. Archibald Christian, At Large Representative questioned if persons are visiting for four days, whether that is enough turn-around time for the card to be issued. The Registrar informed that it is enough time, once the person's records can be located.

Benn reiterated that they always accommodate persons from overseas.

She noted that the reason for having persons apply and collect their Belonger card in person, was due to stolen and forged cards coming out of the Dominican Republic (DR).
-----
Copyright 2011 by Virgin Islands Platinum News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
  • Readers' Opinion
R. ONeal | Report Abuse
It is unfair to call all Dominicans bad people there good ones every where. So we could say there a bad Caribbean people bad people all over the United States bad people everywhere that is why government make rules and regulations. So a good job the Government is doing needs to be comended.
January 16 at 1:50pm  |  Like ▪ 1 Person like this.   Dislike
Reply
A Far Away Observer | Report Abuse
Yes, you are right sir, but there is also bad people in government that manipulate the system to hold others down. In result hurting the system and slowing advancement of society. You see this every day in the U.S, Great Britain, and your B.V.I.!!!!
January 18 at 1:07pm  |  Like   Dislike
Dulcina | Report Abuse
It is unfair, in my opinion , to inconvenience and sanction every body because of yet another Dominican Republic wrong doing. These less than law abiding imports appear to be the dominant immigrant group here in these Islands.
Their illegal and immoral activities are becoming so embedded that... more
January 15 at 3:29pm  |  Like ▪ 4 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 2 People dislike this.
Reply
Cousin | Report Abuse
Your comment sounds bias, Dulcina. Remember what happened in Little Dix Hill a few years ago. Some jamaicans commited crimes and since then a number of immigrants have to renew their BVI visas, including the Santos, how you call them. You are going to find people who do wrong things everywhere... more
January 15 at 11:21pm  |  Like ▪ 3 People like this.   Dislike
Islander | Report Abuse
And these stupid men here on the Island marrying the Santos. These dumb men can't see or is to stupid to see that they are being used. These santo women and men is only looking for status to continue their journey to the United States. Like they say, if you find a donkey, you ride it.
January 15 at 3:06pm  |  Like ▪ 3 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 2 People dislike this.
Reply
Nonsense | Report Abuse
We like to sit here and act all innocent as if we don't know what has been going on at the Passport Office for DECADES and involved our own people, not foreigners! SMH!! So we know who buying but ain't care who selling? LOL....."If nobody supplying but all of them buying, one of these mudda_ _ _... more
January 15 at 2:30pm  |  Like ▪ 4 People like this.   Dislike
Reply
Love for My Country | Report Abuse
I hope the powers that be checked the stolen cards and passports to see whether any of them were used in the last elections.

Food for thought!
January 15 at 9:12pm  |  Like ▪ 3 People like this.   Dislike
Candy | Report Abuse
Where ever those people from Santo Domingo go, they are a problem. Everyday you see a new face. My sister lives in the Bronx New York and she said her neighborhood is infested with them, she also said that they are nasty, they play their music loud and party all times of the night, they throw... more
January 15 at 1:07pm  |  Like ▪ 2 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 3 People dislike this.
Reply
4 candy cane | Report Abuse
That can be classed as a racist remark , Most of North America is now multi cultural and bvi will be the same . Unless you mate with your relatives your on the losing end of the pole . stop looking out the window and go stop it , the goverment you put there is aware of whats going on and doing... more
January 15 at 6:02pm  |  Like ▪ 1 Person like this.   Dislike ▪ 1 Person dislike this.
Islander | Report Abuse
Poor or not they should have enough common sense to know that buying another person identity is wrong. Sooner or later you are going to get caught. And the ones who is on this Island that is selling other people identity need to go to jail for a very long time. Be very careful with your personal... more
January 15 at 11:00am  |  Like   Dislike
Reply
reality check | Report Abuse
Forged documents are a big businbess in the DR and elsewhere but especially the DR since locals here are selling them for big money ! This going on for many years and also many marry local men to get status.
January 15 at 10:21am  |  Like ▪ 2 People like this.   Dislike
Reply
Sojourner | Report Abuse
@ reality check
"...and also many marry local men to get status." And what exactly are the "local men" marrying THEM for?

People marry for lots of different reasons. Historically speaking, both men and women have sought to improve their perceived status through marriage.... more
January 15 at 12:48pm  |  Like ▪ 8 People like this.   Dislike
Well Said | Report Abuse
Reality Check you are 100% right. These greedy locals are the ones who is making things bad,all I have to say is if someone from the Dominican Republic or any other Country show up with here with forged documents in my name, my husband name or my children's name, fire and brimstone will look... more
January 15 at 12:50pm  |  Like ▪ 2 People like this.   Dislike
arnold | Report Abuse
Let me tell you, not all the DR are bad person, must of them are hard worker and honest.
January 15 at 8:54am  |  Like ▪ 11 People like this.   Dislike
Reply
I understand what you are saying Arnold,I say the same thing every day. My uncle is married to a lady from Santo Domingo and she is a very nice, decent, hardworking woman. It is the ones who is doing and is involved in forgery that is making the decent ones look bad.
January 15 at 11:04am  |  Like ▪ 7 People like this.   Dislike
BVIslander | Report Abuse
I agree with Arnold and USA. I have met some very honest and hardworking people from there as well, but many get a bad rap from those who engage in such activities. Not good, but that is the way it is at times.
January 15 at 12:22pm  |  Like ▪ 3 People like this.   Dislike
Me to | Report Abuse
Passports, Work Permits and belongers cards are being sold to these poor people for big bucks by C$$$$$$ , Tortola BVI. Need jail time for robbing these poor people to maintain their huge lifestyle.
January 15 at 8:38am  |  Like ▪ 6 People like this.   Dislike
Reply
We have the same problem here in the USA. Those Dominicans and Mexicans are forgery feens.
January 14 at 8:48pm  |  Like ▪ 7 People like this.   Dislike
Reply
It is a problem because there is a market for the forged or stolen documents. Make enforcement repercussions difficult for the persons benefiting and you will see a change, though I admit it might not necessarily result in a complete eradication of the problem. By the way, I believe you meant... more
January 15 at 2:45pm  |  Like ▪ 1 Person like this.   Dislike
Please note that the comments posted are the views and opinion of the commentor and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of the management and staff of Virgin Islands Platinum News and its parent company Platinum Investors Limited.
Article Information & Controls
37 Opinions | View Opinions
Advertisement
Advertisement
- Corporate Lawyer - Bedell Cristin
Bedell | Posted: 14 May 2013
- General Manager - BVI Trust Company
BVI Trust Company | Posted: 14 May 2013
- Office Manager
Professional services firm | Posted: 10 May 2013
View all
To advertise your job please contact jobs@ballastandcapel.com or click here
Job listing powered by bviemployment.com.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Marketplace
Iphone 4 For Sale
Item condition: used length owned: 4 months no scartches factory unlocked
Land Rover Discovery
Item condition: used length owned: 2 years 2005 land rover discovery.... Fully loaded 4x4 suv with leather interior.. All...
Advertisement
Advertisement
  •   Follow us on:
  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy/Legal Info.
  •   LOST - One bunch of keys, including a jeep key on an International Motors key ring. Anyone finding this bunch of keys is asked to take it to International Motors. A reward will be offered.