Otto de Jong retires from EAST
Otto de Jong will retire from EAST on 18th October 2024. Otto is a founder member of EAST and has represented the Netherlands since the first EAST meeting in February 2004. In May 2013 he launched the EAST Expert Group on All Terminal Fraud (EGAF), which he chaired from its launch meeting right up to its 33rd Meeting, held at the US Embassy in London on 18th September 2024.
The Netherlands is now represented at EAST by the Global Member Worldline and Otto’s role as EAST EGAF Chair has been taken over (in a personal capacity) by Christian Beine of Diebold Nixdorf.
At the 20th EAST EGAF Meeting held in Amsterdam in January 2020, in recognition of his work in founding and supporting EGAF, as well as his many years of active support for EAST, Otto was presented with a well-deserved Award by Veronica Borgogna of Worldline, the current Chair of EAST.
Otto has co-authored several fraud-related industry documents and driven the production of several EAST EGAF guidelines including the Standardisation of Terminology for Locations of Card Data Compromise devices at ATMs, Terminal Fraud definitions & terminology, and assisted Europol to produce Guidance & recommendations regarding logical attacks on ATMs. These documents have been translated into multiple languages for use by relevant authorities all across Europe.
EAST Executive Director Lachlan Gunn said: “It has been a real privilege to have worked with Otto for the past 20 years and EAST has hugely benefited from his extensive experience, knowledge and expertise. When we took a decision to launch Expert Groups, Otto set up our first one, EAST EGAF, which he ably led for 11 years during which time it addressed key issues such as card skimming, card and cash trapping, ATM logical and malware attacks and, most recently, relay attacks. To date EGAF has put out 289 Fraud Alerts for the benefit of the industry and law enforcement, as well as several guidance documents.
I know that I am speaking on behalf of all our members (Global, National, Associate and EGAF) when I say that I will greatly miss Otto’s guidance, professional expertise, and enthusiasm. Friendship endures and I know that many of us will remain in touch with him on the next stage of his journey through life.
His contribution to EAST, to law enforcement and to the industry, during a career in financial crime and fraud prevention that has spanned over 40 years, has been significant. On behalf on the EAST Executive Team, the EAST Board, and of all our members, I wish him a happy, fulfilling and well-earned retirement!”
