Man Faces Allegations Of Possession Of Fraudulent Work Permit, Fake Job Letter, Fake Contract & Cropped Signatures Of WORC Employees
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By Alric Lindsay
Aashish Thapa, understood to be a national of Nepal, appeared in the Summary Court today, June 17, 2025, to face allegations of possessing a fraudulent temporary work permit, a contract, a job letter, and cropped images of signatures of employees of Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman. Thapa pleaded not guilty to all of the allegations. His bail was extended, and a priority trial was scheduled for July 24 and 25, as his work permit has now been terminated.
Background
As recounted in court, it was alleged that, on or before October 8, 2024, Thapa supplied a person with an article knowing it was designed to defraud. This item was a fake temporary work permit dated July 5, 2024, which is an offence under section 283B of the Penal Code.
Thapa was also charged under the Immigration Transition Act for allegedly having a fraudulent temporary work permit in his possession.
Regarding other documentation, it is alleged that Thapa had in his possession a fake employment contract and job letter, dated June 2024, in the name of Treats Restaurant.
Lastly, it is alleged that Thapa had in his possession cropped signatures belonging to two WORC employees.
Thapa’s bail conditions, handed down by the Chief Magistrate, were as follows:
* Surrender of his passport
* Report to the West Bay police station on Mondays and Thursdays
* Not to leave Grand Cayman (stop notice in place)
Note to readers
This article pertains to allegations and does not imply guilt. The final determination will be made in the court after evaluating all the evidence during the legal process.
Making or supplying articles for use to defraud is an offence under section 283B of the Penal Code. This states:
A person who makes, adapts, supplies or offers to supply any article knowing that it is designed or adapted for use to defraud commits an offence and is liable —
(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or to both;
(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or to both.
Possessing a fake work permit is an offence under section 76 of the Immigration (Transition) Act. This states:
Offences relating to false documents, etc.
76.
(1) A person who —
(a) in connection with the carrying into effect of any of the purposes of this Act, makes, causes or allows to be made any return, statement or representation which is false in a material particular and which that person knows to be false or which that person does not believe to be true;
(b) without lawful excuse (the proof of which shall be upon that person) alters, causes or allows to be altered any certificate, licence, permit or other document issued under this Act or any entry in any document lawfully made under this Act: or
(c) without lawful excuse (the proof of which shall be upon that person) uses or possesses, or causes or allows to be used or possessed, any forged, altered or irregular passport, visa, certificate or other connected document or any endorsement on any of such documents which has been altered or forged, commits an offence.
(2) The holder of a Certificate issued under Part 6 applying for a variation of that Certificate to reflect the fact that that person’s dependant is engaged in full-time tertiary education in an educational institution shall satisfy the Board or the Director of WORC by way of a written confirmation from the educational institution that the dependant is engaged in a full-time course of study; and it shall be an offence if —(a) the dependant is engaged in such education without the variation being approved; or
(b) the dependant is residing in the Islands on the basis of an approved variation but is not engaged in such education.
(3) A person who acts in contravention of subsection (1), or is reasonably suspected of having so acted or being about so to act, may be taken into custody without warrant by a compliance officer or a constable.
