The government has revealed that it is launching a four-week consultation on new legislation that aims to stop the supply of printing equipment to ID fraudsters, it has been reported.

PrintWeek revealed that the positive steps being taken by the government will make it a criminal offence for manufacturers and suppliers to provide specialist printing equipment to those involved in identity fraud. Such items outlined include plastic card printers, ultra violet inks and hot foiling machines, and their restrictions apply to those making the choices either deliberately or negligently. Anyone found guilty could be imprisoned for up to ten years.

The move follows Project Genesius, a partnership between the Metropolitan Police Service and the print industry, which aims to fight against crime that was estimated  to cost the country at least £2.7 billion in 2010, affecting 1.8 million people in total.

Universal Smart Cards, a UK-based smart card printer and equipment manufacturer, was involved with Project Genesius. Speaking to PrintWeek, sales manager Deyrick Allen said he was no stranger to such fraudulent requests, having taken no fewer than two or three questionable applications each week from companies both in and out of the UK which he classed as “clearly not legitimate”.

He said: “There are a high number of unscrupulous individuals who try to buy equipment to forge credit cards and identity documents. New laws will enable the police and prosecutors to stop criminals making a quick buck out of forged documents.”