Title: Mozambique Anti-Corruption Agents Sharpen Skills in Money Laundering Investigations and Offshore Structures at ICAR Workshop

Overview

In a concerted effort to combat money laundering and corruption, anti-corruption practitioners from various Mozambican institutions attended an intensive training workshop from August 8-12, 2021, at the Prosecutor General’s Office in Maputo. Led by the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR), the workshop aimed to enhance the participants’ knowledge and skills in investigating offshore structures and requesting information and evidence from foreign jurisdictions.

Training Focus Areas

The workshop built upon foundational training programs on financial investigations and asset recovery provided in 2019. The six-day program concentrated on the following two crucial aspects of international asset recovery:

1. Obtaining information and evidence from abroad through mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters: This aspect of the training emphasized the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational corruption and money laundering cases.
2. Investigating financial flows through offshore corporate structures: Offshore structures such as shell companies and trusts are not commonly encountered under Mozambican law. Acquiring a solid understanding of these structures is essential for effective financial investigations.

Investigative Case Study

Through a complex transnational corruption and money laundering case investigation in small groups, participants were given the opportunity to apply their new skills and knowledge. Tracing beneficial ownership of assets held in an offshore shell company allowed investigators to link criminal activities with the perpetrators and the proceeds of crime.

The Importance of International Cooperation

Effective cross-border cooperation is vital in addressing intricate cases like the ongoing hidden debt scandal, which has seen billions of dollars in undeclared loans and unlawful payments linked to international and national suspects, including senior officials. To tackle this complex issue, international cooperation is indispensable.

Challenges in Cross-Border Cooperation

During a presentation on obtaining international cooperation through MLA, Amélia Machava, Director of Mozambique’s Asset Recovery Office, highlighted the challenges countries face, including:

• Language and communication differences
• Varying legal systems
• Identification of relevant contacts
• Delays in responses
• Concerns over “fishing expeditions,” where the information requested may not be clear

Enhancing Expertise in Offshore Structures and MLA

Participants acknowledged the importance of understanding offshore companies and trusts. Being aware of rapid non-formal methods to collect data to substantiate MLA requests was also emphasized as a valuable skill.

Further Information

• News article on the training from the Club of Mozambique
• ICAR training programs and downloadable brochure
• Quick guide to offshore structures and beneficial ownership by Phyllis Atkinson
• Enroll in ICAR’s self-paced eLearning course on International cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters

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