Fraud detection units welcomed

The Barbados Immigration Department is now better equipped to detect document fraud.

During a handing over ceremony held Friday at the CARICOM IMPACS (The Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security) joint regional communication centre in Wildey, St Michael, German liaison officer Stephan Kaldasch donated 25 document readers on behalf of his government.

Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams said the devices would help Barbados maintain its secured passport status.

“Passport fraud is a big issue the world over. Barbados has one of the most secured passports in the world. It is a highly sought after passport. We are in the process of changing our passport and sometime later this year you will see the introduction of the new, security-enhanced Barbados passports. Along with the new passports there are a lot of enhanced security features so this is a very timely gift,” he said.

Chief Immigration Officer Margaret Inniss thanked the German government for its generosity, noting that the devices will help immigration officers better execute their duties and protect the island’s borders.

Inniss said that a number of officers are now in training on the second version of the online ED (embarkation and dissemination) card.

She added that training played a significant role in ensuring that Barbados sustained its competitive edge as a travel destination. (SB)