MK Data Services

Do You Really Know Who They Are?

It seems like a new case of document fraud is announced on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website every day. In the years since the tragic events of 9/11 there has been an increased focus on border protection, immigration policies and practices, and detecting documentation fraud. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is catching document forgers with falsified drivers licenses, passports and visas in sting operations and illegal aliens in possession of falsified documentation on an alarmingly frequent basis. This is a pretty scary prospect for organizations operating in the United States today. Given the amount of document fraud it is hard to really know who a potential applicant, vendor or trading partner is. The key is to ensure that you do enough due diligence to protect your organization’s interests, by screening potential employees, vendors, trading partners, and even customers to ensure that you are not hiring or doing business with a denied party. 



Where is this fraud coming from? The source of fraud is wide and varied, as is evidenced by a recent case out of Maryland. On September 3, 2009 a federal grand jury indicted April Bell, 35, of Parkville, Md., for producing and transferring Maryland driver's licenses and identification cards without lawful authority. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) helped investigate the case. According to the five count indictment, Bell worked at the Mondawmin Mall branch of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and was permitted to issue identification documents, such as Maryland driver's licenses.  The indictment alleges that from July 2007 to January 2008, other conspirators contacted prospective MVA identification document applicants and telephoned Bell to inform her of such applicants.  Upon arrival at the Mondawmin Mall branch of the MVA, the conspirators contacted Bell by telephone or text message with a physical description of the prospective applicants.  Bell allegedly processed applications by scanning false information into the MVA database or by inventing false driver's license information from other states.  Bell also allegedly failed to administer required tests to such applicants.

As a result of this scheme and in return for money, Bell unlawfully produced and transferred more than 20 Maryland identification documents. Bell faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy and 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for producing and transferring fraudulent identification documents.  Bell had her initial appearance in federal district court in Baltimore on Sept. 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. In a related case, another former MVA employee at the Mondawmin Mall branch and a translator for foreign-born applicants seeking a Maryland identification card was indicted on Aug. 13, 2009 on the same charges.  Former MVA employee, Warren Hall, 46, of Parkville, had his initial appearance in court on Sept. 1, 2009, was released pending trial and was arraigned on Sept. 11, 2009.  The translator, Adalberto Benito Prins, 47, of Baltimore, has not been arrested and is still being sought.

As evidenced by this case document fraud can be found in some of the most seemingly unlikely places and the falsified documents can be of the same quality, made from the same materials as the legitimate documents. It is increasingly important to verify the identities of prospective employees, vendors and trading partners. To learn more about how to ensure that your organization is not only meeting its compliance requirements, but safeguarding its reputation by leveraging the best available technology and data services attend an upcoming webinar. The schedule for the upcoming webinars are available on the MK Data Services website.

Research Universities & Colleges
Controlling Risk & Exposure in a Post 9/11 World 


MK Data Services has published a white paper that details the compliance issues and challenges that research universities and colleges face today. The following is a brief excerpt from the white paper, which can be accessed on the MK Data Services website.
The world post 9/11 is undeniably a very different place for research universities and colleges. The level of risk and potential exposure that research universities and colleges face has increased dramatically, and the penalties associated with noncompliance range from mild to severe. In November of 2001 the Bush Administration reaffirmed that National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 189 remains in effect. This directive establishes national policy for controlling the flow of science, technology, and engineering information produced in federally funded fundamental research at colleges, universities, and laboratories. Fundamental research is defined as follows:


"Fundamental research means basic and applied research in science and engineering, the results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly within the scientific community, as distinguished from proprietary research and from industrial development, design, production, and product utilization, the results of which ordinarily are restricted for proprietary or national security reasons."


The tragic events of 9/11 only served to heighten security concerns and as there is a renewed interest in ensuring that the existing laws and regulations are enforced as strictly as possible. One of the challenges that research universities and colleges face today is understanding the legal basis for export controls in order to ensure that they are in compliance. 

The full white paper outlines not only the legal basis for export controls, but the major compliance issues and challenges facing research universities and colleges face today. To learn more visit the MK Data Services website and download a PDF copy of the white paper.



Monthly Live Webinar Events

MK Data Services continues to host live webinars every month. During the live webinar the company's consultants will demonstrate and discuss some of MK Data Services innovative and user-friendly compliance solutions and services. Following the solution presentations the consultants field questions from the audience regarding the company's solutions, services and compliance issues in general. Dates for upcoming webinars are available on the MK Data Services website.