I-Checkit

Countering the use of fraudulent documents

The fraudulent use of identity and travel documents presents a threat to the security of countries and their citizens, the economy and global trade, as it facilitates a wide range of crimes.

Fake or altered passports are key elements in the arsenal of terrorists and other criminals seeking to hide their identities to move across borders, transfer funds and carry out their illicit activities.

There is a clear need for private companies to know if their customers are who they claim to be.

To combat the use of fraudulent documents, governments and companies must work together to implement robust verification processes and improve document security features.

To help prevent the use of fraudulent documents, INTERPOL developed I-Checkit, a unique solution to assist in the identity and document screening process.

How I-Checkit works

I-Checkit is a screening solution that enables private sector partners to submit customer or crew identity document information to INTERPOL via an encrypted Virtual Private Network (VPN) for screening against INTERPOL’s SLTD database and travel and identity documents associated with INTERPOL Notices (Red Notices only).

The VPN does not give INTERPOL direct access to the private sector partners databases, nor does the private sector partner have access to INTERPOL’s databases. Instead, it allows the private sector partner’s system to instantly transmit data to be screened against INTERPOL’s databases.

A database match triggers an instant alert for further investigation. Notifications are sent to INTERPOL’s General Secretariat and to the National Central Bureaus in the countries concerned, and other relevant national law enforcement entities. can also receive the notification so they can carry out a secondary check of the document in question or further scrutinize available information.

The INTERPOL General Secretariat will then coordinate follow-up actions and communications between the relevant INTERPOL National Central Bureaus and the private sector partner. This includes:

• facilitating investigations to verify the rightful bearer of the identity document;

• corroborating multiple hits across member countries on documents related to potential criminal activity.

Fighting financial fraud

Criminals are exploiting stolen and fraudulent documents to open bank accounts and carry out financial fraud. These fraudulent accounts pose significant security risks, enabling the seamless and undetectable transfer of illicit funds across borders. Highly organized criminal groups depend on seemingly innocuous bank accounts to launder the proceeds of illicit activities, such as cybercrime, trafficking in drugs, human beings, and firearms.

This not only threatens the integrity of financial institutions but also undermines the stability of the entire financial system.

I-Checkit is INTERPOL’s solution to help financial institutions add a new layer of defence to this escalating threat.

By integrating I-Checkit into Customer Due Diligence (CDD) operations, financial institutions significantly enhance their capacity to screen both new and existing clients against INTERPOL’s databases, ensuring rigorous due diligence and enhancing compliance with regulatory obligations.

Securing travel

Passengers and crew members with criminal intentions can present a security risk in terms of border crossing or acts of terrorism and pose a threat to operations.

By including I-Checkit as part of passenger screening processes, travel operators gain the ability to cross-check traveler information against INTERPOL’s databases in real-time. This enhances their capacity to identify potential security threats, prevent the use of stolen or lost travel documents, and ensure safer journeys for passengers while supporting international efforts to combat transnational crime.