The Red Flags of Fraud: My Experience with Fake French Driving Licences

As a NAATI-certified translator, our role is often seen as purely linguistic — converting words from one language to another with precision. However, we are also the unheralded "first responders" in document verification. Lately, that role has become increasingly critical.

In just the last month, I have encountered two fraudulent French driving licences submitted for translation here in Australia. While these fakes can look convincing at a glance, a closer inspection reveals significant technical failures that every practitioner should look out for.

For my fellow translators and those in the transport or migration sectors, here are the three major "red flags" I identified on these recent forgeries:

1. The Missing Birthdate in the Micro-Lettering

The modern French "polycarbonate" licence (the credit-card style) is highly sophisticated. One of its most secure features is the transparent laminated top edge. On a genuine licence, the holder’s date of birth is laser-engraved into this transparent strip in tiny, sharp micro-lettering.

• The Fake: The documents I saw lacked this entirely. The top edge was transparent and lacked the birthdate engraving that should be visible.

2. Incorrect Font Sizing and Hierarchy

French administrative documents follow very strict typographic standards. On a legitimate licence, the family name (Nom) is typically printed in a slightly larger font than the given names (Prénoms) to ensure clear identification.

• The Fake: These fraudulent licences had the hierarchy reversed — the given names were larger than the surname, or they just looked weird! This is a dead giveaway of a template created by someone unfamiliar with French civil identification standards.

3. Typographic Errors in the Numbered Fields

Standard European licences use numbered fields (1. for Surname, 2. for Given Names, etc.) to maintain consistency across borders. A genuine French licence features specific spacing and typographic marks after these numbers. This mark (to me, it looks kind of like a collapsing tent) - in what is called the Alien Font - is a security feature designed to prevent the name from being modified by adding extra characters at either end.

• The Fake: On both fraudulent copies, there was no gap between the "1." and the "2." and the typographic mark that is used to encapsulate the name. That 'collapsing tent' mark was jammed up against the 1. and the 2. The result was text that was cramped and lacking the clean, "breathing" layout of an official government-issued card. Note well: There is always clear space above the a. and the b. next to the number 4 (issue and expiry date).

The Rise of the ‘Ghost Driver’

This isn't just about a poorly forged document; it’s part of a sophisticated "demerit point factory" currently in the crosshairs of the Australian Border Force (ABF) and state authorities. Recent investigations have exposed a surge in 'ghost drivers' — individuals using fraudulent overseas identities to take the rap for speeding fines and red-light camera offences. French driving licences have surfaced as a recurring tool in this scam, with authorities identifying them as repeat offenders in schemes designed to help local drivers dodge demerit points and licence suspensions. When we translate these documents without due diligence, we risk inadvertently providing the "legal" paperwork that allows these ghost identities to subvert our road safety laws and remain untraceable on Australian streets.

Why This Matters – Let’s Protect Our Professional Integrity

While it may be tempting for some to view this practice as a simple administrative issue, document fraud is often linked to broader identity theft or visa subversion. Relying on state authorities like VicRoads or Transport for NSW isn't always enough; they are often overwhelmed by the volume of applications. Furthermore, and perhaps more to the point, when I called in to report this issue, the Victorian Roads and Traffic Authority said it was not their job to verify the authenticity of a licence. They referred me to the Police.

So, what next? As NAATI translators, we have a professional and ethical obligation to maintain the integrity of the Australian translation system. All of my translations are now digital; I do not see a physical source document any more. The 'bad guys' are relying on this fact. I asked one of the clients who emailed me a fake licence to video call me and show me his licence that way. I never heard from him again... and, yes, he had already paid me. If a document doesn't feel right, it usually isn't.

Beyond the Disclaimer: Our Role as Gatekeepers

It is a standard practice for NAATI translators to include a disclaimer stating that we do not guarantee the authenticity of the source document. While this protects us legally, I believe we must go further. In the eyes of Australian authorities, a NAATI-certified translation is often treated as an "official certificate" in its own right — a green light that can inadvertently validate a fraudulent identity. We cannot allow ourselves to be a passive link in that chain. As professionals, we should put potential clients on notice that they cannot pull the wool over our eyes. If we have reasonable grounds to believe a document is fraudulent, we have an ethical obligation to refuse the service. By taking a stand and refusing to facilitate these translations, we protect the integrity of our credential and send a clear message: our stamp is not a rubber stamp for fraud.

How to Report Fraud

Have you encountered suspicious overseas documents in your language pair recently? Whether it’s a French licence or another identity document, sharing these "red flags" helps us all stay one step ahead of the "document factories." Together, we can ensure that a NAATI stamp remains a symbol of absolute trust.

If you encounter a document that you believe is fraudulent, don't just decline the job — report it. Since state transport authorities often lack the will or the resources to investigate individual cases, the Australian Border Force (ABF) is the best point of contact for document and identity fraud.

You can submit a report (anonymously if you wish) here:

👉 Border Watch Online Report

Fake licence on the left – the typographic mark before the names is jammed up next to 1. and 2.