Organised crime a threat to Pacific [1]
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - 13:20. Updated on Saturday, May 17, 2014 - 18:22.
A TWO-days Interagency Border Management Workshop with the objective of strengthening Tonga's border security started in Nuku'alofa on Monday, August 30.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Principal Immigration Officer Va'inga Tone in opening the workshop said it would teach officials what to look for in counterfeit and fraudulent documents by using one's eyes and touch to evaluate documents. The use of magnifying glasses and ultra violet lights would also be taught.
Information sharing and cooperation between the law enforcement agencies such as police, immigration and customs was also an issue that was addressed at the workshop.
Va'inga said that although the Tonga Immigration had detection equipment for passports at the border but then a criminal, with a passport in order, might commit other kinds of fraud such as credit card fraud when inside the country.
"That is why it is important that interagency such as police, customs and immigration strengthen their communications," he said.
The workshop would include looking at financial crime such as credit card fraud and ATM skimming.
Va'inga said identity fraud is a critical and modern issue for law enforcement, for instance, identities were being fraudulently reproduced worldwide, allowing offenders to open bank accounts, apply for loans and in some cases take upon the identity of another person.
"If we do not step up our efforts to protect Tonga and the region, trans-national organised crime poses an ever looming threat to the Pacific and not only will we be exploited by criminals undertaking illegal activities such as manufacture of and trafficking illicit drugs and identity fraud but we might remain ignorant and helpless to protect ourselves," he said.
Raising awareness
The Head of the Pacific Region Immigration Identity Project, Shaun Evans, said the workshop would raise awareness on how law enforcement officials can detect fraudulent documents ranging from fraudulent passports, visas, credit cards and counterfeit currencies.
He said they would be studying various security features from the Tongan pa'anga and passport to security features in the New Zealand or US passports, and Samoan and other foreign currencies so they know the indication of a legitimate document.
The workshop brought together law enforcement agencies officials such as Immigration, Customs, Police and Tonga Defence Services officials. Other participants include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister's
office.
Hannah Malloch from New Zealand Department of Labour and Kate O'Brian from Canada's Border Services Agency were trainers at the workshop.
Funded by New Zealand Government's Pacific Security Fund the workshop also received ultra violet light equipment supplied by the Canada Border Services Agency. © www.matangitonga.to [2]