Financial Crime World

Financial Crime Investigation Techniques in Bulgaria Receive Boost from International Training Programme

In May 2023, the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) delivered a cutting-edge training programme on financial investigations and asset recovery at the National Institute of Justice in Sofia, Bulgaria. The flagship training programme aimed to enhance the skills of Bulgarian law enforcement officials in combating corruption and recovering stolen public funds.

Training Programme Highlights

  • The five-day course attracted 22 participants from state anti-corruption, revenue, and security departments, including judges, prosecutors, police officers, and investigators.
  • Participants worked independently to investigate a simulated corruption and money laundering case, using ICAR’s virtual learning platform, Basel LEARN.
  • The training programme was funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation under the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme.

Hands-on Learning Experience

  • Participants were divided into five-person investigative teams and worked on a real-life scenario, incorporating relevant criminal statutes, provisions, and enforcement procedures.
  • The hands-on learning experience allowed participants to:
    • Analyze large volumes of data
    • Gather evidence
    • Establish a basis for asset confiscation

Feedback from Participants

  • One participant praised the training: “The training was extremely useful, especially the practical exercise and the way in which the investigation was actually carried out, with separate steps and the provision of information in chunks.”
  • Another prosecutor noted: “It was very helpful to explain how to differentiate between the stages in criminal activity – where and with which transactions the predicate offence ends and where money laundering begins.”

Special Session on Preparing for a Money Laundering Trial

  • Judge Denitsa Valkova from the Supreme Court of Cassation led a special session on preparing for a money laundering trial.
  • The session provided practical recommendations on gathering evidence and presenting it in court, sparking lively discussions among participants.

Outcomes and Future Plans

  • The ICAR training programme aims to foster cross-agency cooperation and capacity-building among Bulgarian law enforcement officials.
  • With its emphasis on hands-on learning and real-time skills development, the programme is an invaluable resource for combating financial crime in Bulgaria.