Criminal networks engaged in illegal activities often leave financial traces that can be tracked through financial institutions. TRAFFIC, a leading wildlife trade monitoring network, has taken steps to enhance anti-money laundering (AML) expertise in China by organizing two specialized training sessions for AML and customs experts. These efforts aim to facilitate collaborative investigations into the financial aspects of suspicious wildlife trade activities.
Key Highlights:
- Addressing Financial Aspects of Wildlife Crime: Wildlife trafficking is often associated with financial transactions that can be scrutinized for potential money laundering. Recognizing this link, TRAFFIC organized training sessions to equip experts with the necessary tools to identify and combat illicit financial flows in the context of wildlife crime.
- Expert Presenters: The training sessions featured esteemed experts in the field, including Professor Xin WANG from the Law School of Peking University. Professor WANG discussed the evolution and application of money laundering crime provisions in China’s Crime Law, providing valuable insights into the legal landscape since 1997. Additionally, an anti-smuggling law enforcement expert from the Intelligence and Technology Division of the Shanghai Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau shared practical experiences, including successful convictions and challenges encountered during financial investigations.
- Red Flags and Characteristics: Linda CHOU, AML Project Manager of TRAFFIC China, addressed critical aspects related to wildlife and timber trafficking. Her presentation covered red flags associated with these activities, including typical characteristics, payment methods, identified crime hotspots, and high-risk industry and client profiles that could signal suspicious transactions.
- Customs Officers Receive AML Training: TRAFFIC extended its efforts to over 100 participants from the Shanghai Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau, providing training on anti-money laundering practices. This engagement reflects TRAFFIC’s commitment to raising awareness and building capacity among law enforcement personnel involved in combating wildlife trafficking.
- Enhancing Collaboration: The training initiatives promote an innovative model of public-private collaboration. With TRAFFIC’s coordination, AML experts, financial sector representatives, and law enforcement agencies are encouraged to work together effectively, using AML approaches to combat wildlife trafficking. These training sessions not only contribute to addressing crimes against wildlife but also bolster the ability of financial institutions to counter such illicit activities.
- Impactful Training: On August 2, 2023, TRAFFIC extended its efforts by providing AML training to Deputy Directors responsible for Intelligence in the branch levels of the Anti-smuggling Bureau of China Customs in Urumqi, Xinjiang Province. The objective was to enhance the awareness and capacity of senior staff within the Anti-smuggling Bureau, enabling more strategic implementation of AML measures in the fight against wildlife trafficking.
TRAFFIC’s dedication to strengthening AML expertise and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders is an important step in combatting wildlife crime and ensuring the resilience of financial institutions in the face of such challenges.
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