Financial Crime World

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Iraq Cracks Down on Financial Fraud with UNDP-Led Capacity-Building Workshops

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BASRA, IRAQ - In a major push to combat financial fraud and corruption, the Government of Iraq has completed a series of targeted capacity-building workshops in forensic auditing, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The comprehensive training program, which started in March 2023, aimed to equip auditors, lawyers, and IT experts from key government institutions with skills to detect and prevent fraud.

Forensic Auditing Workshops

The eight-workshop series, conducted in Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Basra, brought together over 200 participants from the Federal Boards of Supreme Audit (F/KBoSA), Commissions of Integrity (F/KCoI), and other relevant institutions. The workshops focused on:

  • Recognizing fraud
  • Preparing comprehensive forensic audit reports
  • Practicing preventive auditing to mitigate fraud risk

Participant Feedback

According to Dalal Abdul Rahman Yassin, Financial Controller at KBoSA, the training “helped us share practical and scientific ideas that we can deploy in our work environment to combat fraud and corruption in Iraq.” Participants praised the workshops for fostering a collaborative environment, encouraging peer-to-peer learning, and deepening their understanding of global standards in forensic accounting and auditing.

Forensic Auditing: A Critical Tool Against Financial Crimes

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The importance of forensic auditing cannot be overstated. This specialized form of auditing investigates patterns of potential financial irregularities or fraud, helping to combat financial crimes effectively. The training program enabled participating organizations to investigate these crimes collaboratively, laying the groundwork for a safer and more prosperous future.

UNDP’s Role in Strengthening Financial Crime Investigation

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The UNDP project on “Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights to Sustain Peace and Foster Development in Iraq” is aimed at fortifying the capabilities of various investigative bodies to tackle complex financial crimes. The forensic auditing workshops are part of this initiative, which has received generous funding from the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

Programme Manager’s Insights

Romana Schweiger, Programme Manager of the UNDP Rule of Law/Security Sector Reform Programme, emphasized that “our financial crime programmes are building a diverse skillset of practitioners… The forensic auditing workshops stand out for their deep focus on financial analyses and how auditing can be used as a tool in fighting crimes.”

Project Achievements

The project has supported over 700 investigating judges and prosecutors, police investigators, auditors, and financial analysts from Iraq’s Financial Intelligence Unit to effectively investigate and adjudicate complex financial crimes.