Enhancing Prosecutorial Skills to Combat Financial Crimes in Vietnam

A Two-Day Training Course on Money Laundering, Wildlife Offenses, and Transnational Crimes

In a bid to strengthen its efforts against financial crimes, the Supreme People’s Procuracy of Vietnam recently organized a two-day training course for prosecution instructors and in-service prosecutors. The event was held with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Participants and Objectives

The training program, which took place on September 22-23, brought together 60 participants from the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City prosecutor training academies, as well as prosecutors serving in eight key provinces that regularly handle wildlife crime cases. The primary objective of the course was to equip participants with specialized investigation techniques to tackle complex transnational crimes.

Key Takeaways

• Participants analyzed examples of money laundering schemes and discussed practical considerations for conducting financial investigations.
• They learned how to use special investigation techniques, handle evidence, and facilitate international cooperation in wildlife crime and other transnational crime cases.
• A representative from Vietnam’s Anti-Money Laundering Department (AMLD) introduced prosecutors to the role of the department and how financial intelligence can support the investigation of crime cases.

The Importance of Considering the Bigger Picture

According to Mr. David Anderson, GIG Program Director, it is crucial to consider the bigger picture of wildlife crime, which often involves elements of other crimes such as money laundering, corruption, and fraud.

Enhancing Vietnam’s Anti-Money Laundering System

The training comes at a critical time as Vietnam prepares for an upcoming evaluation of its anti-money laundering system under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework in 2019. According to UNODC’s Regional Anti-Money Laundering Advisor Mr. Chris Batt, this is a crucial step towards improving Vietnam’s ability to combat financial crimes and mitigate national money laundering threats and risks.

Conclusion

The training course aimed to enhance the understanding of money laundering, wildlife offenses, and other transnational crimes among prosecution instructors and in-service prosecutors. The event was a significant step towards strengthening Vietnam’s criminal justice system and its ability to tackle complex financial crimes.