Not all that uncommon. Anyone remember the Australian who went on to fly with a major airline on the sub continent with forged licences and log book entries? Caught out by a good bit of detective work and duly prosecuted as I recall.
Folks,
And I know of at least one ---- who got a post 1989 job in Au., and continued to retirement. Plus two "SIM Captains" (different airlines) who bluffed their way into real flying jobs around the Indian Ocean.
There are still at least two African countries where you can get a license by mail, for US$$$$$ --- and despite the fact the countries are not Level 1 countries, quite a number of kosher countries still accept the license to issue a local validation ---- having verified with the "national authority" in said African country that the license was "valid".
Don't you just love "process'.
Tootle pip!!