Financial Crime World

Financial Crime Cases and Investigations in Afghanistan Continue Under SIGAR’s Watchful Eye

As the United States continues to navigate the aftermath of its withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) remains vigilant in its pursuit of financial crime cases and investigations related to corruption and misappropriation of U.S. taxpayer funds.

Investigations Directorate

SIGAR’s Investigations Directorate has been conducting criminal and civil probes into waste, fraud, and abuse relating to programs and operations supported by U.S. funds allocated for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Through its full federal law enforcement authority, SIGAR’s Special Agents investigate crimes involving:

  • Federal procurement fraud
  • Contract fraud
  • Theft
  • Corruption
  • Bribery of government employees and public officials
  • Other forms of civil wrongdoing

Collaboration with US Department of Justice

The organization has been working closely with the U.S. Department of Justice to aggressively pursue criminal prosecutions and administrative actions against individuals and companies found to have engaged in fraudulent activities. SIGAR’s prosecutors provide training for investigators and analysts on how to build cases against contractors who violate:

  • U.S. or Afghan criminal statutes
  • Contract fraud laws
  • Reconstruction contracts

Additional Efforts

In addition to its investigations, SIGAR has been supporting mission-related Uniform Code of Military Justice actions through Judge Advocates and executing civil recovery actions through federal and military judicial procedures.

Global Reach

SIGAR’s efforts have not been limited to Afghanistan alone. Prior to the country’s new government taking office in 2021, SIGAR worked parallel investigations with the former government’s Attorney General’s Office to prosecute Afghan nationals involved in fraud and corruption related to U.S. reconstruction funds.

Now, following the collapse of the former Afghan government, SIGAR’s Investigations Directorate is continuing its investigations into corruption-related theft of U.S. taxpayer monies spent in and on Afghanistan. The organization is working with cooperating U.S. government partners to:

  • Identify weaknesses in financial institutions that contribute to capital flight from Afghanistan
  • Access intelligence on illicit financial networks

Special Immigrant Visa Fraud

SIGAR is also collaborating with the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and other U.S. entities in response to an influx of Special Immigrant Visa fraud. Investigators are identifying:

  • U.S. citizens
  • Military personnel
  • Civilian contractors who have authored fraudulent letters of recommendation for non-qualified Afghanistan nationals in exchange for monetary payments

International Contract Corruption Task Force (ICCTF)

As a key member of the ICCTF, SIGAR has been working closely with other U.S. government agencies to share information and investigative intelligence acquired through its international Hotline and Complaint Management Program. The organization is leveraging the resources of the ICCTF to conduct joint investigations and increase the efficiency of the U.S. federal law enforcement effort relating to Afghanistan.

Results

SIGAR’s efforts have resulted in a significant number of:

  • Criminal prosecutions
  • Civil actions
  • Forfeitures
  • Monetary recoveries
  • Suspension and debarments

The organization remains committed to ensuring that U.S. taxpayer dollars are used effectively and efficiently in support of reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.