EUROMED Police builds capacity to fight document fraud in Cairo

EUROMED Police launched a dedicated training programme to address document fraud challenges for law enforcement in the Middle East and North Africa region. The latest phase of this programme, the Train the Trainers (TtT) course on document fraud, was conducted in a professional law enforcement training environment provided by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior at the Cairo Police Academy from 14 to 18 September 2025. This course was built on a previous phase held earlier this year in Amman, where a dedicated handbook and curriculum were developed by regional and European experts experts to reflect the needs of participating countries.

The importance of this work is clear: document fraud is a key enabler of organised crime, facilitating migrant smuggling, human trafficking, environmental crime, and other cross-border offences. Due to this cross-cutting impact, it is recognised as a horizontal priority under the current European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) cycle.

Throughout the week, trainers and document fraud specialists from Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority* deepened their understanding of detection techniques, explored the latest trends, and enhanced their skills in designing and delivering effective training.

“This activity addressed the needs of my organisation in the fight against document fraud. It has strengthened my expertise and given me the confidence to pass on practical knowledge to colleagues at home,” said Ashraf Tomaizeh from the Palestinian Customs Police.

A key added value is the programme’s recognised certification, awarded in cooperation with the Ludovika University of Public Service in Budapest, Hungary.

“I am very grateful that this course is accredited, as it acknowledges our expertise and reinforces our recognition as trainers,” said Yassin Youssef from the Egyptian Police.

The impact of this initiative extends beyond the course itself. Once translated into partner languages, the handbook and curriculum will serve as the basis for national-level rollouts, multiplying knowledge and ensuring sustainability across institutions.

By creating a cadre of certified trainers, EUROMED Police is equipping partner countries with the capability to detect and prevent document fraud, strengthening regional security and contributing to the fight against organised crime.

_{* This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.}