"He even tricked the initial security check"
Indian youth Jayesh Patel, of Ahmedabad, was caught by airport officials disguised as an old man in an attempt to get on a flight to the United States.
The 32-year-old had arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport with a fake beard and dyed hair, claiming to be 81. Patel planned to go to America for a better life.
Police said that he pretended to be a man named Amrik Singh and was also able to get a bogus passport. He intended to get on a flight to New York.
At the airport, he managed to get past the initial security checks as well as the immigration officials.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) spokesperson Hemendra Singh said:
“A man named Jayesh Patel reached Terminal-3 of IGI (Indira Gandhi International Airport) airport on Sunday on a wheelchair posing as an elderly man.
“He even tricked the initial security check and got his immigration cleared.”
However, CISF officials became suspicious as there were hardly any wrinkles despite the appearance as Mr Singh added:
“Despite grey hair, his skin seemed to be quite young as there were hardly any wrinkles on his face.”
Patel had refused to go through frisking at the security holding area and claimed that his old age was preventing him from being able to stand.
He also avoided making eye contact when questioned by CISF officials.
A detailed check was underway and CISF officials discovered the Indian youth’s real identity.
Mr Singh said:
“The appearance and skin texture of the passenger seemed to be much younger than mentioned in the passport.”
“The man was wearing zero-power glasses to conceal his age. He was later handed over to immigration officials on charges of impersonation and further probe.”
Patel had hired an agent named Bharat who promised him that he would provide the required documents for him to go to America.
Patel promised that when he got to America, he would send Bharat Rs. 30 Lakh (£33,900).
Bharat put Patel in touch with a Delhi-based associate. Jayesh was taken to a hotel where a makeup artist was brought in to dye his hair and make him look like an 81-year-old man.
Senior Police Officer Sanjay Bhatia said:
“He was planning to go to the US for a job. But his profile was such that he would not have gotten a visa easily. With a fake name – Amrik Singh, a fake address, he managed to get a passport and a US visa.
“His beard was grown and hair was dyed grey. He was made to wear a pair of thick glasses and a turban. He was also instructed to walk like an elderly person.
“We’ve never seen a similar case at the Delhi airport before.”
Police officers to arrest Patel’s agent, the associate and makeup artist.
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