Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Crime Branch, Goa, has registered a case vide Crime No. 01/2026 at the Crime Branch Police Station against Federico Pinapin Moreno (41), a Philippines national, for allegedly obtaining an Indian passport in a false name by furnishing forged documents and suppressing material facts.
The case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the Regional Passport Officer (RPO), Panaji. The accused was arrested on January 7, 2026.
Investigations revealed that the accused had fraudulently obtained an Indian passport from the Passport Office, Goa, in the name of Ms. Erica Achumi using forged documents. At the time of arrest, he was working as a hair stylist at a salon in Porvorim, Goa. Further inquiry also established that the accused had been staying in Goa without a valid visa or permission from the competent authorities.
The accused has been booked for offences of cheating, forgery and violations under immigration laws. The charges include Sections 336(2), 336(3), 340(2), 337, 339 and 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Section 7(1)(3) of the Foreigners Order, 1948 read with Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946, and Sections 3(2)(a) and 6(a) of the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950, along with Section 12 of the Passport Act, 1967.
During interrogation, the accused disclosed the involvement of Vinit Bandiwdekar, who allegedly assisted him in procuring an Aadhaar card and other documents required to obtain the Indian passport. Based on this disclosure, Bandiwdekar was arrested on January 7, 2026.
Further investigation is in progress to collect additional evidence and to ascertain the involvement of other persons in the case.
