An expatriate has been caught attempting to enter Maldives using a counterfeit passport.

The 53-year-old was caught from Velana International Airport (VIA) by the Maldives Immigration's border security on Thursday, revealed the authority.

It has been revealed that “some” of the information on the man’s passport were forged.

Less than a month into the new year, immigration has caught and deported six individuals attempting entry into Maldives using forged identity thus far in 2020.

In the past year, over 20 individuals were arrested for attempting to enter the country using counterfeit passports.

Highlighting that there is “no way” to enter the country using a counterfeit passport, immigration revealed that there are strict laws set for such matters.

With such cases hiking in recent days, Maldives Customs Service in cooperation with the Ministry of Science, Communications and Technology had strengthened the border security system, having upgraded the finger-print systems, cameras and security software to the latest technology.