Smart Borders, Safer Pathways: Leveraging AI and Shared Non-sensitive Data to Counter Smuggling Network

By Donato Colucci, Head Border and Identity Solutions Unit, International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Document and identity fraud have become key tools used by transnational organized crime syndicates to facilitate irregular migration. Fraudulent or counterfeit passports and identity fraud enable smugglers to move migrants illegally across borders. Globalization and unprecedented mobility have accelerated migration flows, often outpacing the ability of many States to respond effectively. Critical gaps in reliable data and analysis further hinder efforts: law enforcement agencies frequently lack timely, comparable information on smuggling patterns. When data do exist, they are typically siloed by country or agency. As IOM notes, “data collected by various actors lack comparability and interoperability,” and are seldom shared beyond narrow bilateral channels. These gaps in data collection, analysis, and information sharing significantly hamper the identification of vulnerable migrants and the coordination of investigations into organized smuggling networks. In short, while criminal networks adapt quickly, authorities remain constrained by limited data and fragmented collaboration.

Smuggling of Migrants: a global phenomenon
Despite national efforts, document and identity fraud continue to underpin large-scale irregular migration in the Asia-Pacific region, often orchestrated by highly adaptable smuggling networks. High-profile cases, such as the dismantling of a transnational ring in Southeast Asia in 2023 that forged travel documents for labour migrants headed to Australia and Japan, show how organized crime exploits weaknesses in border control and visa systems (Interpol, 2023). These networks use counterfeit visas, stolen or altered passports, and fraudulent breeder documents, exploiting border systems that are not equipped to address the complexity of transnational smuggling modus operandi, further exacerbated by insufficient verification tools. Many frontline officers lack specialized training and real-time access to international databases needed to detect sophisticated forgeries, particularly as criminals increasingly rely on digital manipulation and identity theft (UNODC, 2023).

In the Western Balkans, the region’s role as a major transit route into the European Union makes it especially vulnerable to document fraud. Smuggling networks frequently exploit inconsistencies in travel document standards, language barriers, and varying levels of technical infrastructure among border agencies. In 2024, Europol supported operations targeting a Balkan-based syndicate that produced high-quality fake identity cards for use along the Eastern Mediterranean route (Europol, 2024). These actors stay ahead of enforcement by constantly shifting their routes and exploiting bilateral blind spots between countries. The lack of standardized data-sharing protocols and limited access to advanced document inspection tools further delay timely threat detection (Frontex, 2024).

Similarly, in Latin America, false identities are commonly used by smugglers facilitating northbound migration. In late 2023, Mexican authorities uncovered a scheme involving forged national IDs and counterfeit passports used to smuggle migrants from South America toward the U.S. border (Reuters, 2023). Criminal networks exploit weak civil registration systems, under-resourced migration authorities, and delays in cross-border intelligence exchange. Many border agencies struggle to keep pace with the speed and digital sophistication of these operations, which often involve remote coordination, online recruitment, and payment via encrypted platforms (IOM, 2023).

IOM’s Data Exchange Solution for Counter-smuggling (DESC)
To address these challenges, IOM launched the Data Exchange Solution for Counter-smuggling (DESC), a global initiative that enables real-time sharing of non-sensitive data on irregular migration trends and smuggling methods. By leveraging AI-powered dashboards, DESC transforms raw migration statistics into actionable intelligence – for example, by identifying emerging smuggling routes or spikes in document and identity fraud – and makes these insights available to law enforcement and policymakers globally.

DESC serves a dual purpose: on one hand, it supports law enforcement by streamlining border processes for legitimate travellers and enabling intelligence-driven operations against smugglers; on the other hand, it provides policymakers with reliable data that offer a comprehensive and accurate understanding of migration dynamics, facilitating the development of well-informed, targeted and effective policies.

DESC rests on four interconnected pillars that strengthen border security:

1) Capacity Development and Training: DESC provides targeted training for immigration and law enforcement officials to enhance skills and know-how in document examination, data collection, and identity verification. Through training, peer-to-peer exchanges and expert mentoring, border authorities learn to detect fraudulent documents and understand transnational crime patterns. Training is regionally harmonized to allow data comparability and cross-border intelligence sharing.

Importantly, all capacity development efforts are grounded in a rights-based and gender-sensitive approach, ensuring effective and humane governance of migration and borders.

2) ICT Tools for Document Verification: DESC offers a comprehensive suite of digital tools to improve officers’ ability to detect fraudulent travel documents and imposters during both primary and secondary line inspections – including document inspection equipment and access to digital reference libraries. The VerifierTD&B (Travel Document & Bearer), for example, is a robust offline application that allows officers to run automated checks on travel document security features, including biometric comparisons, for in-depth secondary screening. It flags inconsistencies that may document forgery or identity fraud and, if requested, can interoperate with INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) system.

VerifierTD&B also anonymizes detected fraud cases, enabling non-sensitive, disaggregated data to be shared via DESC online eDashboards, which support operational investigations and regional trend analysis. It is worth noting that deploying VerifierTD&B is not mandatory – countries can still benefit from DESC while using their own existing systems or tools.

3) Regional Collaborative Platform: DESC facilitates the establishment of Regional Networks of Document Experts (RNDE), operational fora where senior experts from participating countries meet regularly to share best practices in document fraud detection, discuss evolving smuggling methods and set the strategic direction of DESC’s agenda. RNDE members coordinate approaches to identity fraud, harmonize responses, identify synergies, and align counter-smuggling strategies. This networked approach ensures that new threats or successes in one country are quickly communicated to neighbouring states, ultimately functioning as a fast and effective knowledge management platform.

4) Data Management and eDashboards: At DESC’s core is a shared online platform featuring AI-driven dashboards. Through IOM, participating countries upload standardized, anonymized data on intercepted fraudulent documents and imposters modus operandi, as well as travel routes involved. The eDashboards provide instant analytics for rapid risk assessments. Users can filter data by region, country, or time to visualize trends in document fraud, smuggling routes, and demographic breakdowns. These visual reports allow officials to anticipate shifts in smuggling tactics and allocate financial and human resources accordingly. The platform handles only non-sensitive information, ensuring security while protecting the identities of smuggled migrants.

Together, these pillars create a comprehensive, data-driven ecosystem for counter-smuggling, combining trained officers, modern verification tools, expert networks, and shared analytics. This enables border agencies to move from reactive enforcement to proactive policing.

IOM’s Added Value and Partnerships
IOM is uniquely positioned to lead the DESC Global Initiative. Its international mandate and presence allow it to work directly with governments across regions. Since its inception in 2012 with six Southeast Asian countries, DESC has attracted interest from over eighty others worldwide. IOM’s trusted relationships facilitate long-term implementation and capacity development. As a not-for-profit initiative, developed by a leading intergovernmental organization within the UN system – and grounded in humanitarian, evidence-based and human rights-centred approach – DESC is well-positioned to foster partner confidence and ensuring its responsible use.

IOM avoids duplication by forging strong partnerships:

• A recent Statement of Partnership with UNODC ensures coordination on migrant smuggling, border security, and data analysis.
• DESC’s tools are also designed to interoperate with existing systems, such as linking VerifierTD&B to INTERPOL’s SLTD database.
• IOM works closely with UNOCT on travel data programs and with regional bodies like Frontex.

IOM’s convening power across UN agencies and collaboration with INTERPOL, Frontex, and others fosters synergy and trust, ensuring DESC adds value rather than overlap.

Global Expansion of DESC

DESC is global in scope. In the Asia-Pacific region, twenty-four countries are already active, with Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tonga preparing to join the Regional Network of Document Experts (RNDE). Kazakhstan deployed VerifierTD&B in 2004, and Armenia’s entry in 2025 has spurred growth across Central Asian.

Eighteen European countries are now engaging with IOM on DESC. Finland and the Netherlands have signed agreements, while IOM and Luxembourg have already begun legal steps to formalize cooperation. In-country workshops are scheduled in the Balkan countries.

In East Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia have expressed interest, and advocacy is ongoing in West and Southern Africa.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, interest is especially strong: thirteen countries are actively discussing participation, with Paraguay leading by scheduling VerifierTD&B installation for early May. Bilateral meetings with IOM on DESC are pending with more than twenty other countries in the region. DESC is thus well-positioned to connect information flows from Latin America to global partners.

In summary, DESC now spans Europe, Central Asia, East Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, with each new participant strengthening the global network through data-sharing, context-specific insights and expertise.

Why DESC Matters

• Operational Impact: DESC equips law enforcement with tools that if effectively deployed, can dismantle smuggling networks. VerifierTD&B enhances fraud detection, exposes imposters, and aids evidence collection. Shared dashboards and RNDE fora have supported targeted joint operations and transnational case-building.
• Global Reach and Flexibility: DESC operates across five continents and adapts to local contexts. From a six-country pilot in 2012 to dozens of active and interested countries today, its flexible, modular approach allows countries to tailor tools and training to national needs while benefiting from collective knowledge.
• Innovative, Data-Driven Approach: DESC uses AI and advanced analytics for real-time trend monitoring and risk alerts. Its dashboards answer complex queries instantly, such as identifying the most commonly linked document-issuing countries for fraud. With continuous updates, DESC helps law enforcement agencies stay ahead of smugglers.
• Sustainability and Resilience: DESC builds long-term institutional memory and resilience through country-led governance and local data collection. Each country generates national trend reports and contributes to regional insights. DESC fosters communities of practice that outlast any single project cycle.

To conclude, in an increasingly connected world, under IOM’s neutral leadership, DESC demonstrates how international cooperation, and innovation can turn data into actionable border security, strengthening border integrity and dismantling criminal networks.