In September of 2011, the Bellevue Police vice division received information from the state Department of Health and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations that a number of regional massage practitioner's licenses had been obtained fraudulently.

As a result of an investigation begun by state health and HSI, numerous individuals were identified as having submitted suspected counterfeit Chinese school and licensing credentials while filling out the health department's practitioner licensing applications. These investigations have shown that the individuals could not have received the listed training during the times listed on the applications. The applicants were either not in China during that time period stated, or they were not there long enough to receive the required number of hours of specialized training.

Department of Health and HSI requested assistance from Bellevue Police in completing these investigations. To date, six individuals have been arrested by Bellevue Police for investigation of forgery. HSI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection provided Mandarin translators during the arrests. All six arrested had some type of connection to Bellevue massage business locations.

Bellevue Police will continue to investigate further claims of massage license fraud and is committed to eliminating all unlicensed massage practices here in Bellevue. The Bellevue community has already noticed and responded with appreciation and supports our efforts.

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