Tuvalu’s Financial Crime Investigation Process: A Step-By-Step Guide
In the wake of a financial crime, authorities in Tuvalu must act swiftly to gather vital information and evidence. The first step in this process is creating a subject profile, which involves collecting and recording basic details about the target individual or entity.
Creating a Subject Profile
- Collecting and recording basic details such as:
- Name
- Date and place of birth
- Aliases
- Relevant contact information
Building on this foundation, investigators must also collect financial data and other evidence sources. This may include documents from:
- Government agencies
- Financial institutions
- Law and accounting firms
- Real estate agents
- Art dealers
- Insurance companies
- Other entities
Each new piece of information can lead to further leads and potential connections to foreign jurisdictions.
Open-Source Investigations
Open-source investigations play a crucial role in Tuvalu’s financial crime investigation process. This involves gathering publicly available information from sources such as:
- Social media
- Internet searches
- Government agencies
- News reports
Categories of open-source information include:
- Official public records
- Private databases
- Civil litigation proceedings
- Corporate filings
- Patent applications
- Nonprofit registrations
- Tax filings
- Moveable-asset tracking sites
- Social media postings
- News media reports
- Educational records
By leveraging these various sources, investigators can build a comprehensive picture of the target’s financial activities, associates, and potential witnesses. Open-source information is used throughout the investigation, including:
- Assessing credibility
- Submitting admissible evidence at trial
- Developing investigative plans
- Identifying domestic or foreign assets
- Laying the groundwork for search and seizure warrants
The Importance of Open-Source Information
The use of open-source information has become increasingly important in Tuvalu’s financial crime investigations, particularly in multijurisdictional cases where connections to foreign jurisdictions must be established. By staying ahead of the curve in terms of data collection and analysis, investigators can increase their chances of success and bring perpetrators to justice.
By following these steps and leveraging open-source information, investigators in Tuvalu can effectively gather evidence and build a strong case against financial criminals.