Corruption In Criminal Investigations

Corruption generates billions of dollars each year. A large portion of the assets acquired through acts of corruption can never be recovered by victim countries for the simple reason: it was not possible to locate them. Corrupt officials and bribe payers, often multinational companies, frequently use the opportunities presented by financial services providers and socalled ‘gatekeepers’ to conceal and enjoy the proceeds of their unlawful activities. Today’s financial centres. the cities where big financial transactions are done and an array of financial products are traded include not only long established places such as New York, London and Tokyo but also a growing number of newer financial hubs in Asia, the Middle East and beyond. The profits

Where an investigation focuses, for example, on a public official’s receipt of bribes or otherwise unlawful financial enrichment, this will require the involvement of investigators experienced in gathering and analysing financial evidence. In many instances, it will also require the involvement of a forensic accounting expert to assist in unraveling complex financial transactions, and an understanding of the role played by gatekeepers in assisting (sometimes unwittingly) criminals dispose of their criminal profits .

In many countries, criminal investigations are primarily directed towards the investigation of the underlying criminality. It is still comparatively rare for investigators, as a routine part of the investigation of major proceeds generating offences, to ‘follow the money’ and establish what happened to the proceeds. Such investigations undoubtedly need resources, expertise and, almost inevitably, effective international cooperation. Securing evidence abroad often provides the key to success in a complex, commercial investigation or those involving other forms of serious crime, and results in the successful recovery of assets. In many instances, it also results in the