A Ukrainian woman working as a rideshare driver in Lithuania is suspected of using a fake driver's license, prompting a criminal investigation by border guards.
On Friday, border guards at the Port of KlaipÄ—da verified the credentials of a Ukrainian citizen who had been working as a rideshare driver after officials raised concerns about her driver's license. The initial inspection led to suspicions regarding the authenticity of her license, which is believed to be forged. The woman, who was using a 'Toyota Prius' with Lithuanian license plates, now faces serious legal ramifications depending on the findings of the investigation.
In response to the concerns over the fake document, the Coastal Border Guard's Criminal Investigation Division has initiated a pre-trial investigation into the matter, which is being continued by detectives from the PagÄ—giai border unit. If convicted of document forgery or possession of a fraudulent document, the woman could face penalties including fines, restriction of liberty, detention, or imprisonment for up to four years, according to Lithuanian law.
Following her arrest, the Ukrainian woman was released after questioning but is subject to certain preventive measures, including mandatory periodic reporting to the police station and the seizure of her document. This incident highlights ongoing concerns over identity verification in the gig economy and raises questions about the safety and regulation of rideshare services in Lithuania, especially concerning foreign workers involved in such platforms.
