Financial Crime World

Financial Crimes Investigation Techniques in Argentina: A New Era of Cooperation with the OECD

In July 2018, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Argentina’s Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking a significant move to combat financial crimes in Latin America. This historic agreement established the OECD Latin America Academy for Tax and Financial Crime Investigation in Buenos Aires, signaling a new era of cooperation between the two entities.

A Hub for Training and Capacity-Building

Located within the facilities of Argentina’s Federal Administration of Public Revenues (AFIP) in Buenos Aires, the OECD Latin America Academy serves as a hub for training and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the region’s ability to combat financial crimes. The academy offers comprehensive programs designed to evolve and respond to the changing needs of Latin American countries.

Modules and Focus Areas

The academy’s program includes modules on:

  • Bribery and Corruption: Participants learn how to identify, investigate, and prosecute bribery and corruption cases.
  • Beneficial Ownership and Offshore Structures: Investigators gain insights into identifying and tracing beneficial ownership and offshore structures used for money laundering and tax evasion.
  • Money Laundering: Experts share best practices on detecting and preventing money laundering schemes.
  • Investigative Techniques: Participants learn cutting-edge investigative techniques to tackle financial crimes.
  • International Cooperation: The academy focuses on strengthening international cooperation and information sharing among countries to combat financial crimes.
  • Asset Recovery: Investigators learn how to recover stolen assets and trace illegal funds.

Inaugural Course: Value-Added Tax (VAT) / Goods and Services Tax (GST) Fraud

The first program held at the academy in November 2018 brought together tax investigators from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. The focus of the inaugural course was on VAT/GST fraud, providing participants with cutting-edge tools to address the specific challenges faced by Latin American countries in tackling illicit financial flows.

A New Era of Cooperation

This partnership signals a major shift towards enhanced cooperation between the OECD and Argentina, paving the way for more effective and targeted efforts to address the complex challenges posed by financial crime in the region. The OECD Latin America Academy’s comprehensive program is designed to respond to the changing needs of Latin American countries, drawing on regional experiences and best practices in tackling financial crimes.

By strengthening the region’s ability to combat financial crimes, this initiative aims to reduce illicit financial flows, increase transparency, and promote economic stability in Latin America.