Security ink database set up by NFI
The Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) is increasing its research into security ink. This type of ink ends up on banknotes or clothing when an ATM protected with security ink is blown up with explosives. An ink database has been set up and is still in its start-up phase, but with the current number of ATM burglaries in Europe, it will not be long before this database is fully operational.
According to the NFI, over the past five years more than €100 million in cash has been stolen in ATM bombings in Germany, mostly by Dutch perpetrators. After banks introduced security measures to prevent the number of ATM bombings in the Netherlands, Dutch criminal groups moved their operations to Germany. The money stolen there, including banknotes stained with security ink, often turns up in the Netherlands later. The police find the banknotes during house searches and seizures and send them to the NFI for investigation. Sometimes they also end up in regular payment transactions. A few such attacks also still occur in the Netherlands. Last June, the media reported on an ATM bombing in the centre of Tiel in which €45,000 was stolen. Two of the three suspects were arrested that same day, and both had security ink on their hands.
ATM burglars are increasingly moving deeper into Europe. In Switzerland, several ATM burglaries have already been committed by suspected Dutch perpetrators, and the first ATM burglary in the Czech Republic has also already occurred. That is why the NFI is working closely with investigative services in the various countries. According to Peter Zoon, expert in Microtraces & Materials at the NFI: “We are building something new, which takes time, but our knowledge is growing and the cooperation between the countries is improving.” For more information on the new ink database see the related news release on the NFI website.
The EAST Expert Group on ATM and ATS Physical Attacks (EAST EGAP) meets regularly to review the ATM physical attack situation in Europe. To deter crime, money dispensed by ATMs is increasingly protected by Intelligent Banknote Neutralisation Systems (IBNS). These systems activate in the event of a robbery or theft, and stain the banknotes (typically red, a purple variant or green).
Banknotes with security ink can be recognised by the coloured ink stains: these run from the edges inwards and are quite large. The European Central Bank (ECB) advises against accepting banknotes that are stained with security ink. This also applies to banknotes with bleach stains: some criminals try in vain to remove the ink from the banknotes with chemicals. If the banknotes have already been accepted, the ECB advises reporting this to the bank.
Advice on what to do if you come into possession of a stained banknote, along with the latest lists of Manufacturers of ATM Protective Devices published by EAST, can be found on the Stained Banknotes page on this website.
A paper on ATM Physical Attack Prevention published by Europol and the EUCPN can be downloaded here.
