4 July 2009
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Introduction
These resolutions have also called on member countries to increase the exchange of information in this field and encourage governments to adopt laws and regulations that would allow access, by police, to the financial records of criminal organizations and confiscation of proceeds gained by criminal activity (Resolutions AGN/55/RES/18, 1986; AGN/56/RES/11, 1987; AGN/60/RES/4, 1991; AGN/66/RES/15, 17 and 18, 1997). Acknowledging the value of the 1988 United Nations Convention against illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and the 1992 OAS Model Regulation concerning laundering offenses connected to illicit drug trafficking and related offenses, the Forty Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force, the Convention on laundering, search, seizure and confiscation of the proceeds from crime (Council of Europe, 1990) and the European Council Directive on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering (Council of European Communities, 1991), the INTERPOL General Assembly meeting in New Delhi in 1997 called on member countries which have not yet done so to ratify the 1988 United Nations Convention against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and to urge their governments to implement the Convention in order to give their law enforcement institutions the powers it provides for (Resolution AGN/66/RES/15, 1997). Additional Documents United Nations (UN)
European Union (EU)
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units
Money laundering - INTERPOL’s definition A working definition was adopted by the INTERPOL General Assembly in 1995, which defines money laundering as: ‘any act or attempted act to conceal or disguise the identity of illegally obtained proceeds so that they appear to have originated from legitimate sources’. First International Conference on Illicit Cash Couriers held at INTERPOL 
Co-hosted by the World Customs Organization, the conference provided an opportunity for police and customs officials to discuss common challenges and to work towards concrete action. The issue of illicit cash couriers is an increasing global problem. High on the agenda was the link between cash couriers, money laundering and the funding of organized crime groups, in particular terrorism. Speakers emphasized the importance of strengthened co-operation between law enforcement authorities worldwide to tackle the growing threat, as well as the need to make better use of existing technology, such as expanding access within each member country to INTERPOL’s global police databases. It was recommended that countries should explore the use of technological devices to detect concealed currency and monetary instruments especially at strategic locations, such as borders, where the illegal transportation of cash is most likely to occur. The conference closed with a call for countries to actively participate in global illicit cash courier training conferences for police and customs personnel. Only with increased expertise can law enforcement bodies effectively combat illicit cash couriers and overcome the vulnerabilities currently exploited by criminal and terrorist organizations. Just as criminal organizations work together beyond national boundaries, so must the law enforcement community co-operate internationally, share critical intelligence and translate this knowledge and expertise into effective action on the ground. Working Group on Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing The fifth meeting of the INTERPOL Working Group on Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing was held at the INTERPOL General Secretariat (IPSG) in Lyon, France on 21 November, 2007. The meeting was attended by representatives from the United Nation’s Office of Drug Control, US Department of Treasury, Europol, and special investigators from various countries. One of the key goals of the working group has always been to improve the information exchange between NCBs and Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) worldwide. This was the genesis of the IMLASS project, which has now become I-link. During the working group, members were briefed on the evolution and current status of the I-link project. Another prime objective of the working group has always been to increase and improve the information exchange with the private sector and with institutions, such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which has become the international standard setter in the anti-money laundering field. Ways in which working group members are trying to increase outreach efforts with FATF, financial institutions, the Egmont Group and financial intelligence units were also discussed. The underlying strategy of the working group has been to take advantage of the strengths of the secretariat, including its databases. The working group has been trying to develop a wider and more useful means of information sharing in order to improve the databases at IPSG and ultimately to make police work more effective and efficient. As a result, knowledge related to information technology issues was also shared by different participants. Additionally, training and technical assistance was addressed, specifically progress on the UNODC mentorship program, which is underway in different regions. Members talked about ways in which INTERPOL is working on this and areas in which it could become more involved, including by facilitating increased computer-based training. International meetings and co-operation The INTERPOL General Secretariat works closely with other international organizations to foster international awareness of the importance of utilising financial investigative techniques against organized criminal activities. Most importantly, these liaisons and co-operation are aimed at supporting each international organization’s efforts in these areas and avoiding duplication. The following is a list of international organizations which have participated in mutual co-operation and assistance in the development of international programs related to the assets of criminal organizations:
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