training
9 November 2007
The Office of technical Assistance, United States Department of Treasury,
conducted four financial crimes workshops during the past two months in
Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town for members of the National Prosecuting
Authority's Directorate of Special Operations (DSO), the Asset Forfeiture Unit
(AFU), and the Special Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU). In addition, participants
in the Workshop included the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Special
Investigations Unit, the South Africa Banking Risk Info5mation Centre and the
Federal Services Board.
The training, which was jointly provided by the DSO and the US Treasury
Department, included South African law enforcement experts in addition to the
US experts. Deputy National Director Leonard McCarthy opened the first training
session emphasising the need for this training in South Africa and encouraged
co-operation at the domestic and international levels to combat crime, noting
that country borders should not pose and obstacle in law enforcement working
together in an international level. One hundred and seventy three (173) members
of the South African law enforcement community participated in all four
separate sessions.
Topics presented focused on the international best practices utilised in
detecting and prosecuting complex financial; crimes that typically involve drug
trafficking, bank fraud, money laundering and terrorist financing, Particular
emphasis was placed on following the money trail to prove criminal violations
and to confiscate illegal proceeds of violators. The training was presented in
an interactive manner with the use of case studies and practical exercises
designed to improve knowledge and skills of investigators in South Africa law
including proceeds of crime, corruption, asset forfeiture and computer crimes.
Financial interviews, case planning, financial profile analysis, use of
investigative task forces, and methods of proof were some of the topics
covered.
Enquiries:
Tlali Tlali
Cell: 082 333 3880
Issued by: National Prosecuting Authority
9 November 2007
