Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Canadian coins bugged, U.S. security agency says [RFID]
CBC News ^ | 1/10/2007

Posted on 01/10/2007 11:50:40 AM PST by sionnsar

They say money talks, and a new report suggests Canadian currency is indeed chatting, at least electronically, on behalf of shadowy spies.

Canadian coins containing tiny transmitters have mysteriously turned up in the pockets of at least three American contractors who visited Canada, says a branch of the U.S. Department of Defence.

A U.S. security report says Canadian coins with tiny transmitters have turned up, and could be used to track defence industry personnel.A U.S. security report says Canadian coins with tiny transmitters have turned up, and could be used to track defence industry personnel.
(CBC)

Security experts believe the miniature devices could be used to track the movements of defence industry personnel dealing in sensitive military technology.

"You might want to know where the individual is going, what meetings the individual might be having and, above all, with whom," said David Harris, a former CSIS officer who consults on security matters.

"The more covert or clandestine the activity in which somebody might be involved, the more significant this kind of information could be."

The counter-intelligence office of the U.S. Defence Security Service cites the currency caper as an example of the methods international spies have recently tried to illicitly acquire military technology.

Nearly 1,000 'suspicious' contacts

The service's report, Technology Collection Trends in the U.S. Defence Industry, says foreign-hosted conventions, seminars and exhibits are popular venues for pilfering secrets.

The report is based on an analysis of 971 "suspicious contact reports" submitted in fiscal 2005 by security-cleared defence contractors and various official personnel.

"On at least three separate occasions between October 2005 and January 2006, cleared defence contractors' employees travelling through Canada have discovered radio frequency transmitters embedded in Canadian coins placed on their persons," the report says.

The report did not indicate what kinds of coins were involved. A service spokeswoman said details of the incidents were classified.

As a result, the type of transmitter in play — and its ultimate purpose — remain a mystery.

However, tiny tracking tags, known as RFIDs, are commonly placed in everything from clothing to key chains to help retailers track inventory.

Each tag contains a miniature antenna that beams a unique ID code to an electronic reader. The information can then be transferred by the reader into a computerized database.

Makes no sense

The likely need for such a reading device means the doctored coins could be used to track people only in a controlled setting, not over long distances, said Chris Mathers, a security consultant and former undercover RCMP officer.

"From a technology perspective, it makes no sense," he said. "To me it's very strange."

Then there's the obvious problem: what if the coin holder plunks the device into a pop machine?

"You give the guy something with a transmitter that he's going to spend — I mean, he might have it for an hour," Mathers said with a chuckle.

Harris speculates recent leaps in miniaturization could allow for a sophisticated transmitter capable of monitoring a target's extensive travels.

"I think we can be pretty darn confident that the technology is there for the sorts of micro-units that would be required to embed these things in a coin," he said.

"It's a brave new world, and greatly concerning on so many levels."

Passing the coin to an unwitting contractor, particularly in strife-torn countries, could mark the person for kidnapping or assassination, Harris said.

"You could almost, by handing a coin to somebody, achieve the equivalent of the Mafiosi's last kiss on the cheek."

The Defence Security Service report says employees of U.S. contractors reported suspicious contacts from individuals, firms or governments of more than 100 countries during the year.

Technologies that generated the most interest were information systems, lasers and optics, aeronautics and sensors.

A foreign approach often meant a simple request for information from the contractor.

Can contain built-in scanners

But the report also underscores clandestine means of acquiring secrets from U.S. employees, particularly those travelling abroad.

"It is important to recognize copiers and shredders can contain built-in scanners to copy the data."

Other common methods include placing listening devices in rooms, searching hotel rooms, inspecting electronic equipment and eavesdropping on conversations.

The report, which first came to light in a U.S. newspaper, has since been posted on the website of the Federation of American Scientists, an organization that tracks the intelligence world and promotes government openness.


TOPICS: Canada; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bigbrother; coins; espionage; privacy; rfid
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-47 next last
To: twonie; fanfan; Pikamax; Former Proud Canadian; Great Dane; Alberta's Child; headsonpikes; Ryle; ...
"And canadians still want to know why their money is worth less? If there is a way to mess something up, they will find it. And do it!"

Yet another moronic comment from a mouthy newbie who's yet to contribute anything whatsoever of any substance to FreeRepublic.
21 posted on 01/10/2007 12:39:54 PM PST by GMMAC (Discover Canada governed by Conservatives: www.CanadianAlly.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: GQuagmire; SevenofNine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma6iFoyfqRc


22 posted on 01/10/2007 12:44:45 PM PST by monkapotamus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: sionnsar
I'm wondering if the coin they used for the purpose was a Canadian Twonie(sp?), the C$2.00 coin. It would be the easiest to hide an rfid on without overheating the gizmo. The twonie is at top.


23 posted on 01/10/2007 12:53:49 PM PST by magslinger (An open mind is like an outhouse. Sooner or later someone is going to fill it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GMMAC

GM, I have a feeling twonie might be one of us. Note his screen name and tagline.


24 posted on 01/10/2007 12:58:07 PM PST by Former Proud Canadian (How do I change my screen name after Harper's election?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: GMMAC

GMMAC, you are STILL no fun! You want to work on that!


25 posted on 01/10/2007 12:59:13 PM PST by twonie (Just because there are fewer of us don't mean we are wrong.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Former Proud Canadian

Believe me, Sir, his tagline has nothing at all to do with y'all. Nothing.


26 posted on 01/10/2007 1:00:36 PM PST by twonie (Just because there are fewer of us don't mean we are wrong.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: GMMAC

I stand corrected.


27 posted on 01/10/2007 1:01:57 PM PST by Former Proud Canadian (How do I change my screen name after Harper's election?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Former Proud Canadian

Also, you don't want to upset GMMAC - God knows what sort of invective we will be subjected to if he gets really ruffled.


28 posted on 01/10/2007 1:02:08 PM PST by twonie (Just because there are fewer of us don't mean we are wrong.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: sionnsar

29 posted on 01/10/2007 1:03:16 PM PST by mysterio
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

LOL a shredder that actually has a scanner front end ... love it!!!


30 posted on 01/10/2007 1:21:45 PM PST by NonValueAdded (Saddam is Dead! Bush's Fault. [Pray for our patriot brother, 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub.])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

"It is important to recognize copiers and shredders can contain built-in scanners to copy the data."

--One hopes that all working copiers can copy data.--

Older copiers only 'copied' the image from one sheet to the next. New copiers actually scan and digitize the document before outputing the copies. I don't know for how long the images are retained, probably varies from copier to copier but I bet it would be a piece of cake to put a datalink in to a storage device.


31 posted on 01/10/2007 1:24:06 PM PST by UpAllNight
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: UpAllNight; NonValueAdded
I knew what they meant -- it just struck me as funny the way they said it.

A digital data-link would certainly be a lot easier (and less risky) than the analogue "data-link" the CIA used in the Soviet embassies (walking out with the data in the form of filmstrips).

A shredder with a scanner front-end might actually sell well -- to anyone who wants to have a paperless office.
32 posted on 01/10/2007 1:33:36 PM PST by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Former Proud Canadian

Someone lives in Ottawa, but won't admit it.

;-)


33 posted on 01/10/2007 1:35:03 PM PST by fanfan ("We don't start fights my friends, but we finish them, and never leave until our work is done."PMSH)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA
A shredder with a scanner front-end

"Jeez, they have those things?" said Sandy Burglar, as he wiped the sudden perspiration off his forehead.

34 posted on 01/10/2007 1:36:21 PM PST by NonValueAdded (Saddam is Dead! Bush's Fault. [Pray for our patriot brother, 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub.])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: sionnsar

LMAO


35 posted on 01/10/2007 1:37:39 PM PST by steveo (ADVERTISEMENT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sionnsar
"You give the guy something with a transmitter that he's going to spend — I mean, he might have it for an hour," Mathers said with a chuckle.

My laptop bag contains lots of change I got on business trips. I always empty my change out of my pockets into the bag before going through security at the airport.

I guess I need to stop leaving all the change in my bag.

Maybe I should check if there is any Canadian coins still in there since I have gone to Canada on business and I do work for a defense contractor.

However, I doubt they would learn much by seeing where I travel that they couldn't find out by looking at our web page. I don't have a security clearance, so my involvement on such projects is minimal.

36 posted on 01/10/2007 1:42:11 PM PST by untrained skeptic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

--A shredder with a scanner front-end might actually sell well -- to anyone who wants to have a paperless office.--

pant, pant, runing to the patent office, pant, pant ...


37 posted on 01/10/2007 1:45:44 PM PST by UpAllNight
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: sionnsar

Easy enough to put RFID in paper money, but in coins it would require drilling, inserting chip, and filling. It would be something to do at contractor meetings besides doodling--examine coins.


38 posted on 01/10/2007 1:45:46 PM PST by RightWhale
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sionnsar

39 posted on 01/10/2007 1:46:26 PM PST by Gritty (It's never a good idea to put reality up for grabs. There may come a time when you need it.-Mk Steyn)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

--analogue--

I used to date this British gal. I am still not back to spelling correctly.


40 posted on 01/10/2007 1:47:53 PM PST by UpAllNight
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-47 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson