Financial Crime World

Mongolia Steps Up Efforts to Combat Financial Crimes in Human Trafficking Investigation

As a source and destination country for human trafficking, Mongolia has been grappling with the misuse of information and communication technology (ICT) by traffickers to recruit victims and facilitate exploitation. However, this trend has also presented new opportunities for law enforcement agencies to detect recruitment, trace funds, and identify suspects.

Innovative Online Investigative Techniques

A recent project aims to strengthen Mongolia’s cyber-crime investigations on human trafficking by employing innovative online investigative techniques based on open-source intelligence analysis (OSINT). The project is providing Mongolian police and security agencies with evidence-based research on ethical modalities and the potentiality for applying OSINT investigations to human trafficking cases.

Training and Capacity Building

To achieve this objective, the project has developed a bespoke entry-level training course and handbook for CPA and MIA Officers. The training focuses on equipping officers with the skills and knowledge needed to:

  • Detect recruitment patterns of human trafficking
  • Analyze online activities and identify potential suspects
  • Collect electronic evidence using OSINT methods
  • Initiate more robust prosecutions corroborated by electronic evidence

Project Objectives and Timeline

The project aims to protect vulnerable migrants and addresses new trends in recruitment and exploitation through internet technologies that emerged during the pandemic. With a budget of $100,000, the project is active from 2023 to 2024 and covers Mongolia nationally.

Expected Outcomes

By strengthening cyber-crime investigations on human trafficking, Mongolia hopes to make significant progress in combating financial crimes and protecting its citizens from the scourge of human trafficking. Specifically:

  • Increase detection rates of potential human trafficking cases
  • Initiate more robust prosecutions corroborated by electronic evidence collected through OSINT methods

Conclusion

By leveraging innovative online investigative techniques and training law enforcement agencies, Mongolia is taking a crucial step towards combating financial crimes in human trafficking investigations. This project demonstrates the country’s commitment to protecting its citizens and addressing new trends in recruitment and exploitation.