Under Canadian Law, somebody can be accused of forgery only if the Police can prove that the fake document is intended to be used for forgery. This has made British Columbia an international centre for the production of fake ID cards, and police in the province are powerless to stop it.
As per CBSA reports, “Several producers of counterfeit documents appear to be operating in British Columbia. Unfortunately, police agencies have found these activities difficult to prevent.”
Canadian counterfeiters are well aware of this loophole, and use euphemisms (‘novelty ID,’ ‘for entertainment only’) and/or lengthy disclaimers in order to circumvent the law, the report further states.
In the past many cases had to be dropped as Police couldn’t prove intent. Fake IDs are largely used for buying alcohol by minors or by criminals to commit identity theft. The police, in the meanwhile, is exercising its authority to prevent the import and export of forged documents.
At least a half-dozen slick B.C.-based websites sell fake ID cards online – primarily U.S. drivers licences – although many receive orders at the same post office box in Nanaimo, suggesting the sites may be linked to the same person.
All the sites insist their cards are novelty items. But they charge between $69 and $100 per card and stress how realistic they look – including magnetic strips encoded with the cardholder’s name and holographic images. One site using a Nanaimo post office box, fakeidcenter.com, even boasts it has a “proven reputation,” noting how it has been referred to by name in articles and books about identity theft.
Its order form also includes a warning to customers: “Do not write the words ‘drivers license’ anywhere on this order form or it may be seized by customs.”