Financial Crime World

Virgin Islands Takes Strong Stance Against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

The Virgin Islands has established a robust network of institutions responsible for combating money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF), as well as related crimes. The territory’s Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework is designed to meet international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Key Institutions

The following institutions play a crucial role in combating ML and TF:

  • Attorney General’s Chambers: Provides support on mutual legal assistance
  • Financial Services Commission: Oversees regulatory supervision and international cooperation
  • Financial Investigation Agency: Conducts intelligence gathering and financial crime supervision
  • International Tax Authority: Handles tax-related matters and mutual legal assistance
  • Governor’s Office: Coordinates extradition and international sanctions
  • Royal Virgin Islands Police Force: Leads security, crime-solving, investigation, and enforcement efforts
  • Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions: Oversees prosecutions, confiscations, and seizures
  • Her Majesty’s Customs: Ensures border protection and enforcement

Coordinating Bodies

The territory has several coordinating and advisory bodies that play a crucial role in developing policies to combat ML and TF. These include:

  • National AML/CFT Coordinating Council (NAMLCC): Oversees the national AML/CFT architecture
  • Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC): Facilitates cooperation among government agencies and promotes public awareness of ML/TF issues
  • Council of Competent Authorities (CCA): Coordinates domestic and international cooperation on AML/CFT matters
  • Committee for Law Enforcement Authorities (CLEA): Enhances collaboration among law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime

Current AML/CFT Position

The Virgin Islands has identified several primary and secondary threats to its AML/CFT regime, including:

  • Criminals’ ability to evade extradition, retain proceeds of crime, and launder money
  • Law enforcement agencies’ failure to pursue investigations and prosecutions effectively
  • Corruption within law enforcement agencies
  • Inadequate supervisory and enforcement frameworks for financial institutions and DNFBPs

To address these threats, the territory is committed to strengthening its AML/CFT framework and enhancing international cooperation to combat ML and TF.