A taxi scam where 180 non-EU nationals obtained licenses through fake documents could just be the tip of the iceberg.
This scam came to light after four people, all non-EU nationals, were discovered driving taxis with licences obtained through fake applications.
As part of Operation Vantage - a Garda investigation into immigration fraud - several properties in Dublin were searched yesterday where it's suspected false documents are being produced.
180 individuals have so far been identified in the operation.
According to the Irish independent, two of the drivers have been deported and the others are waiting on deportation.
The National Transport Authority provides the application paper work for taxi drivers which then goes to the Gardai to be processed.
The Irish Taxi Drivers Federation is calling for taxi drivers to be citizens of Ireland and to have lived here for 5 years before applying for a license to drive a taxi.
President of the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation Joe Heron says the system needs to be more secure: 'Both the NTA and the Gardai have to be responsible for this, there has to be a better way and I'm sure they are capable of designing a system where nobody can escape through the net'.
