Cairo, 29 May 2022 – In collaboration with the Egyptian Customs Authority, and under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Egypt has conducted its first capacity-building activity on “Fraudulent Document Examination”, delivered to 25 Egyptian customs officers, including field front-line and desk officers, as well as capacity-building officers and representatives from the Headquarters of the Egyptian Customs Authority. This training activity was held at the National Institute of Customs Training in Cairo from 22 to 26 May 2022.

The management of mobility of people and mobility of goods is strongly interlinked as recognized by the Memorandum of Understanding signed between IOM and the World Customs Organization (WCO) in 2018. In line with IOM’s objectives to enhance border management and mobility while protecting vulnerable migrants and upholding their rights as well as combating cross-border migration-related crimes, the training focused on techniques to counter crime of forging customs and travel documents to support the efforts of the Government of Egypt in combatting cross-border criminal networks.

It introduced participants to the key concepts of migration and migration-related crimes. It then focused on detecting fraudulent documents through distinguishing between genuine and fraudulent ones. Accordingly, the training tackled the means of production of security documents, security features printed on documents, stamping, its types and how they are manufactured, as well as signatures, and fundamentals of printing, types of ink and printing technologies. Moreover, to accommodate to the needs of front-line customs’ officers working in airports, participants were introduced to essentials of detecting fraudulent travel documents (passports), including its security features including personal data, structure of passports’ booklets, and the international standards of passports. Electronic and biometric passports, including their structure and characteristics were also introduced. In addition, the training shed the light on best practices from other countries in the field of producing security documents and using biometric passports and airports.

Practical exercises allowed a high level of interaction during the training with strong engagement between the trainer and participants who used verification equipment, including magnifiers and UV light, to examine documents.

It was made possible with the generous support of the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark through “Strengthening the Sphere of Protection for Victims of Trafficking and Vulnerable Migrants in Egypt while Preventing Irregular Migration and Human Trafficking” (SPHERE II).

The training activity contributes to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely, Goal 10: ‘Reduced Inequalities’, Goal 16: ‘Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions’, and Goal 17: ‘Partnerships for the Goals’. It also aligns with the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), Objective 7 ‘Address and reduce vulnerabilities in migration’ and Objective 11’ Manage borders in an integrated, secure and coordinated manner’.

For more information, please contact Nahla Afify at IOM Egypt, email: naafify@iom.int and/or Omar Awwad email: osawwad@iom.int