Initiative of the Federal Republic of Germany with a view to the adoption of a Council Decision on the improved exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents
Date: 1999-05-27
Institutions: Germany
Subjects: Council of the European Union, Germany, exchange of information, identity document, industrial counterfeiting, passport

22.6.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 176/1

COUNCIL

(Acts adopted under Title VI of the Treaty on European Union)

of the Federal Republic of Germany with a view to the adoption of a Council Decision on the
improved exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents

INITIATIVE

(1999/C 176/01)

(Text submitted to the Council on 27 May 1999)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

a) make it easier to detect counterfeit travel documents on

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in
particular Article 34(2)(c) thereof,

Having regard to the initiative of
Germany,

the Federal Republic of

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),

Whereas:

(1) counterfeit travel documents have increased to an alarming

extent;

(2) a computerised image archiving and transmission system
(FADO) has been set up by the Joint Action of the Council
of 3 December 1998 (2);

(3) the improved exchange of information on counterfeit travel
documents will make it possible to limit the counterfeiting
of documents and thus make an effective contribution to
combating crime and the smuggling of human beings;

(4) the use of standardised information collection will facilitate

and speed up the conduct of criminal proceedings;

(5) this Decision does not affect

the
Member States relating to the recognition of passports,
travel documents, visas, or other identity documents;

the competence of

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

In order

to improve further

1.
Member
reporting system for detecting counterfeit
shall be used. Its purpose shall be to:

States of

the exchange between
a
travel documents

information on false documents,

(1) Opinion delivered on . . . (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(2) OJ L 333, 9.12.1998, p. 4.

inspection, and

b) increase the effectiveness of

the search for stolen travel

documents,

with particular attention being paid to the serial number of the
travel document.

The exchange of information shall not include personal

2.
details.

Article 2

1.
The standard form set out in Annex I shall be used for
the purpose of transmitting information in accordance with
Article 1.

The central unit of each Member State shall directly and
2.
without delay exchange information with the central unit of
each other Member State.
It shall also notifiy the General
Secretariat of the Council.

Article 3

1.
For the purposes of the uniform collection of information
which may be required for subsequent criminal proceedings
relating to counterfeit travel documents, Member States shall,
as far as possible, use the questionnaire set out in Annex II.

2.
Data required for criminal proceedings referred to in
paragraph 1 shall be communicated to other Member States
in accordance with national law and international conventions.

Article 4

This Decision shall enter into force three months after its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Done at Brussels, 27 May 1999.

For the Council

The President

O. SCHILY

C 176/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

22.6.1999

ANNEX I

EU Flag

Ad-hoc information
of Member States of the European Union on

counterfeit travel documents

Flag 
of the issuing
Member State

1

2

3

Nationality of the document
(ISO-Country Code)

Type of document
(A, B, C, D, E, H, or I)

Serial number of the false document
(for research purposes)

4.

4.1.

4.2.

4.3.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FALSE DOCUMENT (Please use the common system of reference codes)

4.4.

4.5.

4.6.

Space reserved for the presentation of images
(A second sheet may be used but only if absolutely necessary)

Name of the issuing Member State 
and ISO country code

Address, telephone and fax No of the competent ad hoc information service

Date and serial No
of the information

22.6.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 176/3

ANNEX II

QUESTIONNAIRE

for the survey of false document users in connection with the ad hoc information of Member States of the
European Union on counterfeit travel documents

1. Data relating to the document user

(needed for further inquiries, subpoena, ect,):
Name, first name, other name/alias/nick name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, nationality, contact address.

2. Information concerning the itinerary and reason for the use of the false document.

3. Information concerning the forger/manufacturer/dealer/organisation

3.1. When, where (1) and from whom (2) was the fals document received?

3.2. When and where (1) did the first contact take place?

3.3. What conditions did you have to fulfil, in order to receive the document?

(Passport pictures, signatures, deposit, etc.)

3.4. When, how and where (1) was the false document handed over?

Was a meeting place arranged?

3.5. How much did the false document cost?

3.6. When, how and where (1) was the money handed over?

3.7. To what extent did other persons take part? Who?

Are other persons known to have been involved? Intermediaries? (2)

3.8. Who i (2) the forger and where (1) was the false document manufactured?

3.9. Could you have received other documents (falsifications)?

3.10. Who (2) else received a similar false document?

3.11. Where (1) are your genuine documents?

(If handed over to other persons, for example the smuggler (2), exact passport data including passport number)

3.12. Can you give other pertinent information?

(1) If you specify a place please indicate:

Country, city, building, apartment, business, railway station, restaurant, other location, means of transport, exact designation and/or
description.

(2) Personal data, name, first name, other name/alias/nick name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, nationality and other important
information, for example description of person, apparent age, size, weight, hair colour, special characteristics, language, addresses,
telephone numbers, vehicles (make, colour, number plate, special characteristics).