UK passports ‘sold on dark web’

FAKE British passports, driving licences and exam certificates are being sold to criminals via the dark web, it has been revealed.

The documents, which include GCSE certificates and utility bills, are being traded on hidden internet websites.

Experts warned that such sites – known as the dark web – are not only a goldmine for criminals but also pose a significant security threat, with forged passports being sold for as little as £800.

Criminals are now able to open bank accounts, take out loans or obtain identification documents in their victims’ names simply by combining bills, bank statements and payslips with doc- tored photographic ID. The dark web can only be accessed by invitation via secure web browsers, which open up websites usually unavailable on the internet.

Experts have revealed the ‘scary’ ease by which criminals can now conduct such operations, according to the undercover investigation by The Times.

Sin Wee Lee from the University of East London, which was responsible for the investigation, said: ‘It’s scary that it’s so easy for anyone to organise and buy stuff to be sent to their home.

‘It’s so easy to get a user name and account and start buying.’