Let-off for master forger

A master forger who ran a fake passport company from his attic supplying criminals across Europe for nearly a decade was spared jail.

Rodolfo Napoleon Carpio Gonzalez, 46, turned his loft into a factory producing hundreds counterfeit passports since at least 2011.

Police searched the Ecuadorian’s home in Battersea, southwest London last April 10 and found identity documents for Belgian, Portuguese and French nationalities.

Investigators believe the passports were used by migrants arriving illegally from outside the EU to find accommodation or secure jobs.

Gonzales was arrested after being linked by fingerprints to a fake passport carried by a man suspected of illegally smuggling migrants to the UK.

After his arrest, the National Crime Agency, shared his DNA with European authorities, linking him to the supply of fake passports to a German criminal network.

Gonzalez, of Battersea, admitted forgery, claiming he needed money to fund his gambling habit.

He was handed a two year jail term suspended for two years with a 30-day rehabilitation requirement at Inner London Crown Court.

Gonzales was also ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and pay £800.

An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the forged documents and manufacturing equipment.

Mark McCormack, Branch Commander for the NCA, said: ‘Carpio Gonzalez chose to make his living by producing false identity documents for use by people brought illegally to the UK.

‘He aligned himself with the organised criminals who endanger the vulnerable by using illegal and often dangerous methods of entry.

‘The NCA works to tackle those who enable serious and organised crime like people smuggling, whether it be those who produce fake identify documents, transportation or financial services.

‘We are determined to disrupt and dismantle people smugglers’ business models at every step.’