Financial Crime World

Financial Watchdog Closes Ranks to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

Warsaw, Poland - The National Cooperative Savings and Credit Union, presidents of courts of appeal, heads of customs and tax offices, Voivodes or governors of districts, and other obliged institutions have been mandated by law to report any suspicions of money laundering or terrorist financing to the General Inspectorate for Financial Information (GIFI).

Strengthening Efforts Against Financial Crimes

In a bid to strengthen its efforts against financial crimes, the GIFI has been receiving information from these institutions, as well as cooperating with foreign counterparts, to identify and prosecute individuals involved in such activities.

Obliged Institutions’ Responsibilities

According to the law, obliged institutions must:

  • Notify the GIFI immediately if they suspect money laundering or terrorist financing has taken place
  • Provide the GIFI with any relevant information or documents upon request

Prosecution Process

In cases where a suspicion is deemed well-founded, the GIFI notifies the prosecutor’s office, which then takes steps to prosecute the suspects in cooperation with law enforcement authorities.

Information Sharing

Prosecutors are obligated to inform the GIFI about key developments in their investigations, including:

  • Decisions on blocking accounts, suspending transactions, or initiating proceedings
  • Decisions related to presenting charges or issuing bills of indictment

The GIFI provides courts and prosecutors with information or documents upon written request for purposes of criminal proceedings. It also shares information with other cooperating entities, such as law enforcement authorities, within the scope of their statutory tasks.

International Cooperation

In addition, the GIFI has established partnerships with international organizations and institutions to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, including:

  • The European Commission’s Expert Group on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
  • The Council of Europe’s MONEYVAL Committee
  • The Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

Contact Information

General Inspectorate for Financial Information

  • General Inspector of Financial Information: Anna Chałupa
  • Director of Department: Michał Szermer
  • Deputy Directors: Patryk Dobrzycki, Artur Kołaczek, Elżbieta Franków-Jaśkiewicz
  • Address: Ministerstwo Finansów, ul. Świętokrzyska 12, 00-916 Warszawa, Polska
  • Phone: +48 22 694 30 60
  • Fax: +48 22 694 54 50
  • Email: sekretariat.IF@mf.gov.pl