Second online Training on the Identification of Imposters at Border Crossing Points

Learning how to identify and stop imposters at a border crossing was the focus of an online OSCE training course held on 19 and 20 May 2021. Over 200 participants from 29 OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation took part in the course. They comprised members of the OSCE Border Security and Management National Focal Points (NFP) Network and selected representatives of border and customs services.

The course was organized by the Border Security and Management Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and was the second online training course on “Identification of Impostors at Border Crossing Points”. Experts of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Interior led the course, which aimed at enhancing the abilities of front-line officers to identify potential criminals travelling under a false identity.

“Activities in the field of document and identity fraud are one of the most significant tools to counter illegal movement of terrorists, criminals and traffickers of all kinds. It is important to be ready to respond to major challenges, such as impostors and attacks using morphed face images, and be able to identify new types of forgeries, including those connected to COVID-19 related documents,” said Dennis Cosgrove, Head of the OSCE Border Security and Management Unit, in his opening remarks.

“Impostors represent one of the main challenges in the field of identity fraud. Despite improved travel documents and security features, stricter controls on documents’ issuance, and strengthened security checks at cross-border check points, identity fraud is on the rise. Criminals are constantly diversifying forging methods as they look for ways to assume false identities without detection,” Cosgrove said.

The training course featured interactive elements, including memory tests and exercises on facial appearance and comparison, as well as lectures and practical modules on anatomical features and examination techniques of facial components.

The course served as a forum for exchanging information on the latest trends related to morphing (a special effect in motion pictures and animations that changes (or morphs) one image or shape into another through a seamless transition) and the use of fraudulent COVID-19 tests and vaccine certificates for travel purposes.

Real examples and cases encountered by participants while performing their duties were presented and discussed during the activities.

This training course is part of a series of activities on the detection of forged travel documents and imposters organized by the OSCE Border Security and Management Unit in different countries that started in 2015.