Financial Crime World

Boosting Financial Fraud Investigation Methods in Iraq through UNDP-Led Workshops

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Strengthening Capacity to Detect and Combat Financial Fraud and Corruption

The Iraqi government has completed a series of high-profile workshops aimed at strengthening its capacity to detect and combat financial fraud and corruption. The initiative, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), saw over 200 officials from various government agencies trained in forensic auditing techniques.

Forensic Auditing Techniques

The eight-workshop program, which kicked off in March last year, equipped participants with skills in:

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

Collaborative Environment

The training sessions fostered a collaborative environment where peer-to-peer learning was encouraged, promoting a culture of shared understanding and joint problem-solving.

Feedback from Participants

“Iraq’s financial sector is now better equipped to combat fraud and corruption, thanks to this initiative,” said an official from the Federal Board of Supreme Audit (F/KBOSA). “The workshop helped us share practical ideas that we can deploy in our work environment.”

UNDP’s Role in the Project

UNDP’s role in the project was critical, according to Romana Schweiger, Programme Manager of the UNDP Rule of Law/Security Sector Reform Programme. “Our financial crime programmes are building a diverse skillset of practitioners, and these forensic auditing workshops stand out for their deep focus on financial analyses and how auditing can be used as a tool in fighting crimes.”

Funding and Future Plans

The project has received funding from the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) since 2021. The UNDP’s Iraq programme on Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform aims to support the government’s efforts to build trust and confidence between legal entities, public finance institutions, security sector institutions, and communities.

“This project is part of our broader effort to ensure institutional development and capacity building for accountability and oversight,” said Schweiger. “We are committed to helping Iraq build a more transparent and accountable financial ecosystem.”