Asset Recovery Handbook
Asset Recovery Handbook

Author: Jean-Pierre Brun

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2021-02-08

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 1464816174

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Developing countries lose billions each year through bribery, misappropriation of funds, and other corrupt practices. Much of the proceeds of this corruption find 'safe haven' in the world's financial centers. These criminal flows are a drain on social services and economic development programs, contributing to the impoverishment of the world's poorest countries. Many developing countries have already sought to recover stolen assets. A number of successful high-profile cases with creative international cooperation has demonstrated that asset recovery is possible. However, it is highly complex, involving coordination and collaboration with domestic agencies and ministries in multiple jurisdictions, as well as the capacity to trace and secure assets and pursue various legal options—whether criminal confiscation, non-conviction based confiscation, civil actions, or other alternatives. This process can be overwhelming for even the most experienced practitioners. It is exceptionally difficult for those working in the context of failed states, widespread corruption, or limited resources. With this in mind, the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative has developed and updated this Asset Recovery Handbook: A Guide for Practitioners to assist those grappling with the strategic, organizational, investigative, and legal challenges of recovering stolen assets. A practitioner-led project, the Handbook provides common approaches to recovering stolen assets located in foreign jurisdictions, identifies the challenges that practitioners are likely to encounter, and introduces good practices. It includes examples of tools that can be used by practitioners, such as sample intelligence reports, applications for court orders, and mutual legal assistance requests. StAR—the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative—is a partnership between the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime that supports international efforts to end safe havens for corrupt funds. StAR works with developing countries and financial centers to prevent the laundering of the proceeds of corruption and to facilitate more systematic and timely return of stolen assets.

Recovering Stolen Assets
Recovering Stolen Assets

Author: Mark Pieth

Publisher: Peter Lang

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 428

ISBN-13: 9783039115839

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Development efforts will remain frustrated so long as corrupt leaders continue to steal their countries' wealth and dispose of these ill-gotten gains in foreign jurisdictions. The prevention of such looting, and the recovery of the stolen assets are thus critical development issues and a cornerstone of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (2003) (UNCAC). However, to date experience with asset recovery is limited, and a number of legal and other obstacles continue to impede progress. This is the first comprehensive work on asset recovery, written by renowned practitioners and academics representing different legal systems and countries, all of whom have extensive experience in the asset recovery field. The authors notably discuss the 'success stories' of the past (the recovery of the assets of Sani Abacha, Ferdinand Marcos and Vladimiro Montesinos) and the concrete challenges for the future with regard to search, seizure, confiscation and repatriation of stolen assets. The book also provides perspectives on the role of technical assistance and donors in asset recovery and the likely impact of the UNCAC.

Stolen Asset Recovery
Stolen Asset Recovery

Author:

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 284

ISBN-13: 082137902X

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This book is a first-of-its-kind, practice-based guide of 36 key concepts?legal, operational, and practical--that countries can use to develop non-conviction based (NCB) forfeiture legislation that will be effective in combating the development problem of corruption and recovering stolen assets.

Few and Far
Few and Far

Author: Larissa Gray

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2014-08-29

Total Pages: 95

ISBN-13: 1464802750

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This joint publication of the World Bank/UNODC Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports on how OECD countries are performing on asset recovery. It provides examples of good practices and recommendations for development agencies and other practitioners on achieving results.

Barriers to Asset Recovery
Barriers to Asset Recovery

Author:

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2011-06-20

Total Pages: 201

ISBN-13: 0821386603

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It is estimated that the proceeds of crime, corruption and tax evasion represent between $1 trillion and $1.6 trillion per year, with half coming from developing countries. Proceeds are typically transferred abroad and hidden in foreign jurisdictions, thus requiring international cooperation. Various international conventions and agreements require international cooperation on this issue, in particular the United Nations Convention against Corruption; however, only $5 billion in stolen assets have been repatriated over the last 15 years. This enormous gap reveals that significant barriers continue to impede asset recovery despite the commitments taken by governments, civil society and the private sector. Drawing on the experience of practitioners with hands-on experience, the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative launched this study to identify the barriers to stolen asset recovery internationally, provide brief analysis of the impact of these barriers, and propose recommendations for overcoming these obstacles. This volume is intended to guide policy makers in their efforts to ensure necessary resources and the development of a plan, policy or strategy aimed at eradicating the barriers to asset recovery. In addition, this study proposes actions to be taken by the G20, international organizations, financial institutions, developmental agencies and civil society.

The Puppet Masters
The Puppet Masters

Author: Emile van der Does de Willebois

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2011-11-01

Total Pages: 230

ISBN-13: 0821388967

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This report examines the use of these entities in nearly all cases of corruption. It builds upon case law, interviews with investigators, corporate registries and financial institutions and a 'mystery shopping' exercise to provide evidence of this criminal practice.

Public Wrongs, Private Actions
Public Wrongs, Private Actions

Author: Jean-Pierre Brun

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 158

ISBN-13: 1464803706

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Over the last decade, the topics of corruption and recovery of its proceeds have steadily risen in the international policy agenda, with the entry into force of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2005, the Arab Spring in 2011, and most recently a string of scandals in the financial sector. As states decide how best to respond to corruption and recover assets, the course of action most often discussed is criminal investigation and prosecution rather than private lawsuits. But individuals, organizations, and governments harmed by corruption are also entitled to recover lost assets and/or receive compensation for the damage suffered. To accomplish these goals of recovery and compensation, private or 'civil' actions are often a necessary and useful complement to criminal proceedings. This study explores how states can act as private litigants to bring lawsuits to recover assets lost to corruption.

Going for Broke
Going for Broke

Author: Jean-Pierre Brun

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2019-12-06

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 1464814392

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Going for Broke focuses on insolvency as an additional civil remedy in the arsenal of asset recovery practitioners, specifically in the context of grand corruption investigations and proceedings. The recovery of corruption proceeds is often sought through criminal prosecution and confiscation or civil lawsuits. Insolvency proceedings can also be an effective mechanism in the right circumstances, with their own advantages and disadvantages. The scenario that is most likely to benefit from this type of remedy is one in which bribes and stolen funds have been routed through special-purpose companies. This guidebook is intended as a practical tool to help policy makers, public officials, and those who have been entrusted with recovering their nations' stolen assets. It informs them about the ways that insolvency can be used to pursue proceeds of corruption. It may also serve as a quick reference for other practitioners: insolvency professionals, auditors, financial institutions, in-house counsel, and other professionals who deal with corruption.

On the Take
On the Take

Author: Lindy Muzila

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780821394540

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Despite broad international recognition of the criminalization of illicit enrichment, it has not been universally accepted as an anti-corruption measure. Instead, criminalization of illicit enrichment continues to generate extensive debate and controversy. Against this background, this volume aims to provide an analysis of how illicit enrichment works, and attempts to shed light on any contributions that it has made to the fight against corruption and the recovery of stolen assets. Rather than delving into the theoretical and academic debates around illicit enrichment, this study focuses primarily on the analysis of current practice, case law, and existing literature to offer a new perspective to the on-going discussions. More specifically, the volume addresses the legal framework upon which the concept of illicit enrichment rests, and the resulting policy implications of that legal framework. It also focuses on illicit enrichment as an anti-corruption mechanism, from its roots as a response to the problems inherent to prosecutions involving corruption, to an examination of elements and inchoate offenses relating to illicit enrichment under international conventions. It examines illicit enrichment jurisprudence in the global context. An extensive survey was carried out to determine the countries where the offense exists, what form it takes, how often it is used, and for countries where it doesn't, what other measures are used in its place. The authors neither recommend nor oppose the adoption of illicit enrichment provisions, but rather aim to assist jurisdictions considering such steps by highlighting key questions that might arise during implementation, including how the offense is defined and enforced domestically by States. Similarly, the authors do not endorse nor criticize any practice carried out by States in the implementation of the criminalization of illicit enrichment. Ultimately, it is also hoped that this study provides a basis for further discussion amongst policy makers and practitioners, and fuels upcoming discussions by the Conference of State parties of the UNCAC and its Working Groups

How to Do Financial Asset Investigations
How to Do Financial Asset Investigations

Author: Ronald L. Mendell

Publisher: Charles C. Thomas Publisher

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780398070441

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Financial asset investigation continues to evolve through its techniques, and this book serves as a practical primer, emphasizing the use of data collection forms, the latest computer technology, and tools for identifying, locating, and assessing debtors1 assets and liabilities. The text explains data gathering from computer data bases, CD-ROM, human sources, surveillance, and public records. The topics cover both individuals and businesses. They range from obtaining subjects1 basic identifiers, such as a social security number, to using key business ratios to calculate figures for a company1s balance sheet. This new edition strives to incorporate more online and electronic resources and includes a complete chapter on investigation through use of the Internet. Additional new topics include financial investigation for security officers, piercing the corporate veil, news groups, and public record searching shortcuts. Throughout the book, useful forms are provided for gathering, organizing, and analyzing data which allows for easy integration of information. Learning how to exploit information trails and cutting through smoke screens are the main themes of this practical and effective investigative tool.