Millions of shekels have been defrauded from innocent Israelis by a resident of the PA (Palestinian Authority) who had a forged Israeli identity card.

Police began an investigation after receiving a complaint from an Arab resident of the eastern capital who purchased an apartment in the area of Mevasseret Tzion. This purchase took place in 2015 after he presented a number of forged documents showing he would take possession of the apartment in 2017. At that time, he would sign over the apartment for NIS 1.5 million and the remainder of the apartment’s value will be paid by receiving the rent for the apartment where he now lives along with others forms of payment in coming years.

Of late, the buyer realized the suspect, a female was a fraudster and he learned the sale of the apartment was a scam, as was the paperwork presented by the suspect. The buyer realized he will never take possession of the apartment. He confronted the suspect and he was given a check in the amount of NIS 600,000, but the check bounced for ‘insufficient funds’.

During the police investigation, authorities learned that the suspect used a forged Israeli identity card, one belonging to an eastern Jerusalem resident. She used the card to open several bank accounts, issue payroll checks, rent apartments and engage in other activities which were at the expense of the victims.

At the beginning of the week, detectives arrived in eastern Jerusalem and she was taken into custody at that time. During a search, police found she was in possession of forged documents. Police are continuing the investigation, trying to identify additional victims.

The suspect is a female PA resident in her 50s. Her incarceration was extended during an arraignment hearing and she is set to appear in court again on November 25, 2019.

Police warn the public, urging citizens to remain vigilant and take the required steps to verify offers before entering into a major business deal.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)