Council Decision of 27 March 2000 on the improved exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents
Date: 2000-03-27
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: data collection, exchange of information, identity document, industrial counterfeiting, passport

1.4.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 81/1

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

COUNCIL DECISION

of 27 March 2000

on the improved exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents

(2000/261/JHA)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Having regard to the initiative of
Germany (1),

the Federal Republic of

(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.

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),

Article 2

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

2.
The central unit of each Member State shall directly and
without delay exchange information with the central unit of
each other Member State. It shall also notify the General Secre-
tariat 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
law and international conventions.
accordance with national

Article 4

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

Done at Brussels, 27 March 2000.

For the Council

The President

F. GOMES

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Counterfeit
alarming extent.

travel documents have increased to an

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

The improved exchange of information on counterfeit
travel documents will make it possible to limit the coun-
terfeiting of documents and thus make an effective
contribution to combating crime and the smuggling of
human beings.

The use of standardised information collection will facili-
tate and speed up the conduct of criminal proceedings.

This Decision does not affect the competence of the
Member States relating to the recognition of passports,
travel documents, visas, or other identity documents,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

In order

to improve further

1.
the exchange between
Member States of information on false documents, a reporting
system for detecting counterfeit travel documents shall be used.
Its purpose shall be to:

(a) make it easier to detect counterfeit travel documents on

inspection, and

(1) OJ C 176, 22.6.1999, p. 1.
(2) Opinion delivered on 19 November 1999 (not yet published in the

Official Journal).

(3) OJ L 333, 9.12.1998, p. 4.

L 81/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

1.4.2000

ANNEX I

1.4.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 81/3

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 false 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
language, addresses,

information, for example description of person, apparent age, size, weight, hair colour, special characteristics,
telephone numbers, vehicles (make, colour, number plate, special characteristics).