Dominican Republic Struggles with Identity Theft: Over 13,000 ID Cards Cancelled in 2018

Identity Theft Epidemic Hits Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO - The Dominican Republic is facing a significant identity theft problem, according to Ernesto Ramos Mega, director of Electoral Solutions and Digital Identity for Latin America at Minsait. Speaking at the IV National Congress of the Dominican Notary and the National Academic Training Day, Ramos revealed that in 2018 alone, over 13,000 ID cards were cancelled due to impersonation of identity.

Authorities Identify Criminals, but Many Remain at Large

Furthermore, authorities identified around 1,300 individuals who committed crimes related to identity theft, but many habitual criminals remain at large. This has left a significant number of Dominican citizens without their assets. The country is ranked among the top 10 nations where crimes related to theft or impersonation are most prevalent, making its population “highly vulnerable” to fraud in major economic transactions.

The Urgent Need for Effective Identity Theft Prevention Measures

The revelation highlights the pressing need for effective identity theft prevention measures in the Dominican Republic. As Ramos emphasized, many criminals have not been identified, leaving the assets of countless citizens at risk. The government and authorities must take immediate action to address this issue and ensure the security of its citizens’ identities.

Key Statistics:

• Over 13,000 ID cards cancelled in 2018 due to impersonation of identity
• Around 1,300 individuals identified as committing crimes related to identity theft
• Many habitual criminals remain at large, leaving assets of countless citizens at risk