Title: Swedish Crusaders in the War Against Financial Crime: A Look at Key Players in Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Investigations

Stockholm, Sweden

In the global battle against money laundering and terrorist financing, Sweden has proven to be a committed player. Below is a rundown of some key Swedish entities devoted to, or involved in, preventing financial crimes. For more detailed information, visit their respective websites.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

• Established: 1989, in Paris, France
• Description: A global intergovernmental organization
• Mission: Setting international standards against money laundering, terrorist financing, and financing of weapons of mass destruction
• Members: 39 member countries and 9 regional bodies
• Coverage: Covers over 200 jurisdictions
• Sweden’s Involvement: Joined FATF in 1990, committed to implementing its international standards domestically
• Evaluation: Periodically evaluated, issues statements and recommendations, publishes a yearly report
• Website: www.fatf-gafi.org

The Swedish Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)

• Part of: Swedish Police
• Functions: Handles financial intelligence from Sweden and abroad
• Responsibilities: Registers, processes, and analyzes reports of suspected money laundering and terrorist financing
• Law Enforcement Collaboration: Notifies Swedish Economic Crime Authority or other law enforcement agencies when transactions indicate underlying crimes
• Police Investigation (Suspected Money Laundering): www.polisen.se/sv/brottsinfo/ekonomibrott-mangdrakebort

The Swedish Economic Crime Authority

• Agency: A specialized agency within the Swedish judiciary
• Jurisdiction: Investigates serious financial crimes, including accounting fraud, tax evasions, EU fraud, and financial market crimes
• Additional Jurisdiction: Bankruptcy-related offenses, white-collar crimes, and more
• Website: www.ekobrottsmyndigheten.se/

The Swedish Security Service

• Agency: Leads and conducts police activities
• Functions: Preventing and detecting crimes threatening national security, focusing on terrorism and other politically motivated crimes
• Website: www.sakerhetspolisen.se/en/swedish-security-service.html

The Swedish Prosecution Authority

• Agency: Contributes to reducing crime and enhancing public safety
• Functions: Leads criminal investigations and prosecutes individuals who commit financial crimes
• Responsibilities: Determines whether to pursue prosecution and bring offenders to court
• Website: www.aklagare.se/en

Egmont Group

• Description: A global network for Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs)
• Members: 150+ FIUs worldwide, including Sweden’s FIU
• Collaboration: Members collaborate on international efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing
• Website: www.egmontgroup.org

These entities play essential roles in the collective fight against financial crimes, forming a robust network of stakeholders dedicated to ensuring security and integrity in the Swedish, and global, financial systems.