NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) – An Illinois man was charged with creating and distributing fake U.S. passports and shipping them to customers in New Jersey, prosecutors announced on Tuesday.
Juma Wajid, also known as “Jay Khan” and “Jamal Anthony,” 36, of Chicago, faces one count of furnishing a false, forged, and counterfeited U.S. passport for use by others.
According to court documents, in April 2024, law enforcement found a package containing fake U.S. passports sent through the mail.
Upon investigation, officials found that Wajid used an online account to send hundreds of similar packages between June 2022 and April 2024. He also used an encrypted messaging app to promote the sale of fake IDs.
In August 2024, undercover officers purchased five counterfeit U.S. passports and other forged documents from Wajid. He allegedly created and mailed the items to a New Jersey address in exchange for cryptocurrency payments.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the amount involved in the offense.
Wajid was released on a $15,000 unsecured bond.