Financial Investigation workshop by George Hardaker - Friday, 04 September 2015
PRETORIA, South Africa - A five day (31 August to 04 September) "Financial Investigation” workshop was coordinated by UNODC, UK Aid and the US Government for 49 delegates from thirteen Southern African countries. The delegates included, inter alia, police, anti- corruption, asset forfeiture and revenue authority investigators and public prosecutors.
During his opening address, Fitz-Roy Drayton, adviser to ARINSA, reminisced about his law enforcement career where a criminal had stated that he was prepared to serve prison time provided his assets were left alone. Disappointment lay in store for the said criminal and the story serves to highlight the necessity to investigate not only the crime but also the assets for forfeiture.
Bernie Crossey and Eddie Jones were the two workshop facilitators. The second day of the workshop was a milestone for Eddie Jones, marking 40 years' service in HM Customs and Excise, UK. Bernie Crossey is an anti-money laundering, financial and criminal investigations training consultant also with an extensive background in customs and excise.
The two facilitators presented the workshop in a dynamic manner, including numerous interesting case studies and practical exercises. A wide range of topics were covered, including Money Laundering, Financing of Terrorism, Suspicious Transaction Reports, Investigative Techniques and Evidence, Search and Seizure Procedures, Sources of Financial Intelligence, Statement Taking, Financial Interview Techniques and the Role of the Prosecutor, to mention but a few.
Lucy Sutcliffe, Fiscal Crime Liaison Officer, from the British High Commission, Pretoria, was a guest speaker. She gave an over view of her role including encouraging bilateral co-operation in the region towards curbing smuggling.
Kudzai Chinoda, of ARINSA, assisted delegates in registering on the ARINSA website to give them access to a treasure trove of information.
Proceedings were concluded with the two facilitators handing
over certificates with the good humour which had been part of the workshop
throughout the week.
The rest of the materials can be obtained from website from following the instructions below: