LYON, France – Representatives from American Express, MasterCard, Visa and law enforcement met at the INTERPOL General Secretariat from 5-6 December 2006 to discuss payment card fraud, in particular, the relevance and best practice for INTERPOL’s Counterfeit Payment Card Database.

The Counterfeit Payment Card Database (CPCD) is an Internet-based tool managed within INTERPOL’s Counterfeits and Security Documents Branch and accessible to law enforcement and fraud investigators through I-24/7, the organization’s global police communications system.

The CPCD is a mechanism for helping to connect seemingly isolated counterfeit payment card investigations based on technical and forensic examination of card components, as well as serves as a platform for the sharing of relevant information between law enforcement and the industry.

During the two-day conference, the attendees heard briefings from representatives of INTERPOL, Visa, American Express, MasterCard, the Hong Kong Police, City of London Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Royal Malaysian Police.

They also had the opportunity to discuss their concerns and recommendations for the CPCD, after which all 22 participants agreed on its relevance in the fight against counterfeit payment card fraud.

Additionally, participants agreed to establish more frequent advisory group meetings to enhance co-operation and address potential safeguards against this particular type of fraud.

‘This two-day gathering was another example of law enforcement and industry partnering together to find a way to address the concerns of counterfeit credit card fraud throughout the world,’ said Jeff Krivak, head of INTERPOL’s Counterfeits and Security Documents Branch.

The event was the first meeting of industry leaders and law enforcement representatives since the CPCD was reintroduced in 2005 following modernisation.