NCJ Number
66243
Date Published
1974
Length
29 pages
Annotation
DELEGATES AT THIS INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION SYMPOSIUM DISCUSSED THE TYPES OF FRAUD BEING PERPETRATED INTERNATIONALLY AND THE POLICE MEASURES TO BE IMPLEMENTED AGAINST THEM.
Abstract
THIS DOCUMENT CONSISTS OF SUMMARIES OF STATEMENTS MADE BY DELEGATES FROM MEMBER COUNTRIES AT THE SYMPOSIUM ON INTERNATIONAL WHITE COLLAR CRIME. THE FIRST ITEM UNDER DISCUSSION CONCERNED FRAUDULENT OPERATIONS INVOLVING PROCEDURES OR MEANS OF PAYMENT, SUCH AS CREDIT CARDS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT. FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES COMMITTED USING A COMPANY AS A FRONT WERE DISCUSSED, FOLLOWED BY THE ISSUE OF FRAUD COMMITTED AGAINST COMPANIES. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS TYPIFYING FRAUD WERE FRAUDULENT DEALINGS IN STOCKS AND SHARES, IMPORT/EXPORT ACTIVITIES, OFFENSES AGAINST EXCHANGE CONTROL LEGISLATION, FRAUD IN CONNECTION WITH TOURISM, AND OPERATIONS INVOLVING STOCKMARKET PROCEDURES. DISCUSSIONS ON THIS FIRST PART OF THE AGENDA BROUGHT OUT THE FACT THAT FRAUD IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE LARGE SUMS INVOLVED, THE CONSIDERABLE POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH GOVERNMENTS AND INDIVIDUALS, AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF OFFENDER GANGS, SIMILAR TO THE FRAMEWORKS OF ORGANIZED CRIME OPERATIONS, WHO ARE WELL ORGANIZED AND SPECIALIZED, WITH ACCESS TO SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES. MOREOVER, SOME KINDS OF TRAFFICKING ARE LINKED TO OTHERS (I.E. TRAFFICKING IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND DRUGS). CASES OF INTERNATIONAL FRAUD ARE CHARACTERIZED BY COMPLICATED MODUS OPERANDI CONTRAVENING LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS. SUCH CASES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY THE POLICE AND ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES, SUCH AS FINANCE, TAXES, AND CUSTOMS OFFICIALS. THE REMAINDER OF THE SYMPOSIUM WAS DEVOTED TO DISCUSSION OF POLICE ACTION TO COMBAT INTERNATIONAL FRAUD. SPECIAL SERVICES NEEDED FOR THIS PURPOSE WERE CONSIDERED IN TERMS OF THEIR STRUCTURE, STAFF TRAINING, SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES, AND PROCEDURAL ARRANGEMENTS. DISCUSSION OF INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS BROUGHT OUT THE NEED FOR SOUND KNOWLEDGE OF THE MODUS OPERANDI, COOPERATION BETWEEN THE VARIOUS NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES, AND COLLABORATION ON THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL. BANK SECRECY WAS A PROBLEM RAISED AT THE CONCLUSION, AS AN EXAMPLE OF SITUATIONS WHICH FACILITATE INTERNATIONAL FRAUD. (MRK)