Counterfeiting, fraud and related crimes pose significant challenges to virtually every industry. Listed below are facts and figures that highlight specific challenges that face the government sector.
- The number of document and benefit fraud investigations launched by U.S Immigration and Customs ICE has increased from 2,334 in Fiscal Year 2004 to 3,591 in FY 2005.
- Counterfeit documents – manufactured by a single Mexico-based counterfeit document organization with cells in at least 33 states – have been found in all 50 states.
- At least seven of the 9/11 hijackers obtained genuine Virginia identity documents by submitting fraudulent Virginia residency certificates. Using these ID cards, the hijackers were able to clear airport security and board aircraft for the attacks.
- Currently, 6,422 different entities issue birth certificates.
- The United States received 51.1 million international visitors in 2006.
- The US Government issued 12.1 million passports issued in 2006.
- There are 16,000+ different kinds of US birth certificates