The Vanuatu government has taken significant action against three Chinese nationals—Huang Bo, Liu Hong, and Tang Ying—by canceling their passports due to fraudulent acquisition. This decision was made by the Department of Immigration and Passport Services (DoIPS) after it was determined that the individuals had obtained their passports through false or misleading statements, which is a violation of the Passport Act No. 20 of 2009.
Notably, Liu Hong and Tang Ying have been wanted by INTERPOL since September 2022 for leading pyramid selling operations. They received their Vanuatu passports in June 2022, while Huang Bo obtained his passport in April 2022. An investigation revealed that Bo had provided false information during the citizenship application process, as he was already facing criminal charges.
Following the passport cancellations, the Vanuatu government has initiated an investigation targeting the agents who facilitated the citizenship applications for these individuals. The government has vowed to revoke the licenses of those who assist criminals in obtaining citizenship and ensure that due diligence is upheld in the application process.
This action reinforces Vanuatu’s commitment to safeguarding its immigration integrity, echoing previous decisions where the government has revoked passports and citizenship from individuals sought by other nations for unlawful activities, as seen in cases such as Lalit Modi, an Indian businessman linked to corruption allegations.
The recent crackdown emphasizes Vanuatu’s stance on not harboring criminals and maintaining a robust framework for its citizenship and passport issuance standards. Such measures are critical for protecting national security and upholding international cooperation in addressing corruption and financial crimes.
This ongoing commitment not only enhances the credibility of Vanuatu’s immigration policies but also opens up conversations about refining global cooperation to ensure that pathways for citizenship are reserved for individuals who uphold the law and contribute positively to society.
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