Cablegate: Embassy Cairo

VZCZCXRO2280
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #1828/01 2661151
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 231151Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3673
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEAHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RUCNFB/FBI WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 001828

DEPT FOR CA/FPP, CA/EX, CA/OCS, DS/CR/OCI
ALSO FOR G/TIP, INL, DRL, PRM, NEA/RA, NEA/ELA, NEA/PPD

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

POSTS FOR FRAUD PREVENTION UNITS

E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG

SUBJECT:

FPU REVIEW OF DIVERSITY VISA CASES REVEALS ANOTHER POTENTIAL AVENUE FOR BABY SMUGGLING NETWORK REFS: (A) 08 CAIRO 2483 (B) 08 CAIRO 2562 (C) CAIRO 207 (D) CAIRO 600 (E) CAIRO 1054
1.(SBU) Summary: The Cairo Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU) reviewed Diversity Visas (DVs) issued by post to identify additional cases of the baby trafficking network described in reftels. A number of cases were found that raised the possibility that some DV lottery winners applied with newborns that were not their biological children. The FPU review of the cases also highlighted the sharp spike in DVs issued from FY04 to FY05, attributed mostly to the outreach and organizational efforts of the Coptic Church. End Summary. Fraud Profile and Pattern -------------------------

2. (SBU) The profile developed in the reftels with regards to the baby smuggling network showed that the smugglers had been utilizing all available avenues to move the babies to the United States. 28 cases in both the American Citizen Services (ACS) and Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) units have been confirmed where babies and young children have been successfully smuggled to the United States. The pattern pointed to the possibility that the Immigrant Visa unit had also been a means by which to smuggle newborns and children. CCD Adhoc Assistance --------------------

3.(SBU) The Fraud Prevention Manager (FPM) requested the assistance of the CCD Adhoc team in creating a report that focused on all DVs issued with at least one family member being 0-2 years old at the time of the application. In addition, the report needed to cover the timeframe 2004-2008 broken down by fiscal year with only applicants born in Egypt. The resulting list of 1081 cases was then reviewed by the FPU for names of Coptic Christians in accordance with the profile developed in reftels. With a final list of 938 cases, FPU analyzed each case individually to identify those that had a high probability of newborns who might not be the biological children of the DV parents. The Results -----------

4. (SBU) The 938 cases contained 213 cases of twins, one of the common fraud indicators developed for this baby smuggling profile. In some of these cases the age difference between the twins and the last sibling was almost ten years. In addition, of the 938 cases, 647 cases had children who were born after the family was notified they had won the DV lottery. In many of these cases the parents were in their 40's and already had two or three children between the ages of 6-12 years old. In all of the cases where fraud was suspected, the DV parents seemed to have "tagged on" a set of twins or a single newborn to their already existing family unit. The FPU continues to search for a reliable means by which to confirm fraud in these cases. Other Eyebrow Raisers ---------------------

5. (SBU) A review of the number of DVs issued at post from FY04 to FY05 shows a sharp increase in cases from 1,760 to 3,570. The number of DVs issued for each consecutive year then remains constant with 3,624 for FY-06, 3,554 for FY-07 and 3,557 for FY-08. In addition, the percentage of Coptic Christians being issued DVs for each of those years also remains constant at about 91 percent. Interviews with DV applicants have highlighted the important role the Coptic Church has played in not only informing its members about the DV lottery, but helping them apply as well. Given that the FPU has confirmed the active role of Coptic priests and nuns in smuggling infants and children to the United States through ACS and NIV, post believes that the DV lottery may have also been utilized as a means for funneling children to the United States. Comment --------

6. (SBU) On September 17, 2009, an Egyptian judge sentenced eleven members of the baby smuggling network to 2-5 years in jail. The verdict capped a year-long investigation by the FPU and the Egyptian authorities reported in reftels. However, as the FPU focuses on other aspects of the network such as the DV lottery, there may be future opportunities for more cooperation with the Egyptian authorities on this issue. In addition, the FPU hosted on July 6, a CAIRO 00001828 002 OF 002 visiting team from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who arrived in Cairo specifically to begin an investigation of the baby smuggling network with regards to Canada. Further close cooperation with the RCMP will be important in identifying cases that may have used Canada as a means to enter the United States. SCOBEY

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