Investigation into stolen batch of birth certificates continues

The investigation into the stolen batch of blank birth certificates and the fraudulent distribution of them continues.  Love News understands that Police are working at not only locating the source of the documents, but also in locating the recipients, who we are told are at least three retired American players of the NFL. As we have been reporting, the fraudulently issued birth certificates were used to acquire social security cards until one attempt was red flagged and the authorities were called in.  Chief Executive Officer at Social Security, Dr Leroy Almendarez, remarked on The Morning Show today that on one occasion, one particular individual made three attempts to get a social ID.

Dr.Leroy Almendarez, CEO, Social Security Board: “We have had individuals, at least one individual who I was told tried three different attempts to get a Social Security card with three different iterations of a birth certificate. We must partner of course with Vital Stats. We must partner with Vital Stats and you heard what happened with Vital Stats and the fact that you know two Americans I believe got their passports fraudulently and that is why you know really when where our people are concerned there is enough that we have in place to detect these things. And we have every right, I must say, to have the police come and pick you up. We’ll just put it as short as that because at the end of the day when you have a Social Security card and that’s your identifier to receive one of those things you either must be a born Belizean, you were nationalized, you have permanent residence but you qualify meeting all the different requirements. We have also had individuals who tried to photocopy a Social Security card and bring a paper part of I and even try to copy the person’s picture. Biometrics are biometrics. Your DNA is your DNA that’s why certain countries like the Middle East when you’re coming out back you can’t come out back unless your eyes are your eyes if you know what I mean. That’s how you pass otherwise the thing doesn’t open. So we have all those things in place. We continue to look at it. As a matter of fact we do have internal controls as well that are able to pick up these kinds of things, new laws, and new procedures will be told to the public very shortly that allows you to let us know if you find any of these things happening.”

CEO Dr Almendarez noted that while these recent frauds have been carried out by foreigners, the issue is quite prevalent among locals.  He indicated that the type of fraud by registered members of SSB has to do with medical certificates and benefit claims.

Dr.Leroy Almendarez, CEO, Social Security Board: “Other fraud exists you know because remember now for you to be declared sick we have a registered list of medical practitioners. Someone decides to sign your paper so Dr.Rene signs Troy’s paper and says yes this man is sick when in fact he’s not that is also fraud. That is one you also have to make sure that you’re looking at. So it tells you that we must have.”

Troy Gabb, Host, The Morning Show: Proof of life.

Dr.Leroy Almendarez, CEO, Social Security Board: “Proof of life too because the other thing is yes there are people who are saying “I live abroad or something and yes I’m still this person.” We need to know you’re alive. Tell us you’re alive. What’s the proof that you’re alive. You know why ? Because you two can change identity and you just keep saying you’re alive. What if we’re just sending money to a bank account ? How do we know it’s you ? And that is why we plan to engage the diaspora as well. We are preparing now to go the diaspora and this is the plan we’ll be working with the embassies especially the United States of America with Ambassador Lynn Young at least that’s maybe where we could start but at least to engage the diaspora as well. But yes Troy there are enough things that we’ve put in place. Will it ever be 100% fool proof or fraud proof ? That’s kinda difficult.”

Dr. Almendarez recently took over as CEO of the SSB on August 19.