Criminals considering passport fraud are warned that the chances of being caught are very high.
The Internal Affairs Department says it is determined to identify fraudulent applications, regardless of when the crime was committed.
The comments come in the wake of the sentencing of Garry Fullerton for offences including passport fraud.
Passports operations manager Helen Jamison said passport fraud often enabled further criminal offending.
New Zealanders were rightly proud of the status of their passport, which was regarded as one of the best in the world, providing visa-free access to many countries.
She said new procedures, such as the check against death records, a shorter term of validity and the introduction of an e-Passport, made it extremely hard for even determined criminals to obtain a New Zealand passport and use it fraudulently.
People convicted of offences since 2002 face up to 10 years' jail and/or a $250,000 fine.
- NZPA
Obtain a false passport at your peril
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