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Bridging intelligence and investigations: Advanced Operational Analysis training
A major blockage in financial crime cases lies in the space between intelligence and investigations. All too often, crucial financial intelligence from Financial Intelligence Units isn’t used effectively to trigger or advance investigations. One reason lies in the quality of the financial intelligence reports themselves, which may not match what investigators and prosecutors need. A related reason lies in poor cooperation between different agencies involved in the fight against financial crime. This blockage is a recurring challenge highlighted in evaluations of the effectiveness of countries’ frameworks for anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism AML/CFT conducted by the Financial Action Task Force FATF . Many countries perform relatively well on Immediate Outcome 6 IO6 , an indicator that measures the effective generation and use of financial intelligence. However, the real difficulty lies in converting this into effective investigations IO7 and the confiscation of assets IO8 , where scores are consistently lower. Training to bridge the gap Advanced Operational Analysis training, which the training team of the Basel Institute’s International Centre for Asset Recovery ICAR conducts for government agencies around the world, is specifically designed to bridge this gap. Between May and July 2025, our training team delivered Advanced Operational Analysis training in Mozambique, Ecuador and Tanzania. The intensive week-long workshops brought together Financial Intelligence Unit analysts, investigators, prosecutors and other relevant practitioners in each country. The objective was to enhance the generation of financial intelligence that officers in investigation and prosecution agencies can act upon. The ultimate goal: successful money laundering investigations and the recovery of illicit assets. Transforming intelligence into operational leads The Advanced Operational Analysis training combines our eLearning module on Operational Analysis of Suspicious Transaction Reports with an extensive, instructor-led country-specific component. Participants work through a complex and realistic simulated case involving: Shell companies and offshore structures; Intricate and large volume of financial data Blockchain transactions and the tracing of virtual assets; Cross-border elements and international cooperation mechanisms. They plan and collect relevant information using the intelligence cycle, as outlined in the eLearning course. After analysing it, they present it in a format that helps investigative or prosecutorial authorities identify indicators of possible predicate and money laundering offences as well as proceeds of crime. The authorities must then corroborate this intelligence and convert into evidence. In this way, intelligence is transformed into operational leads. In Tanzania, participants stressed its immediate relevance: The course is very good and relevant to daily work. It helps in analysing financial information and preparing intelligence reports that can be used by investigators and prosecutors. I learned how to collect, process, and present financial intelligence in a way that supports investigations of money laundering and other financial crimes. Fostering cooperation between agencies A key objective of the Advanced Operational Analysis programme is to strengthen cooperation among the diverse actors in the fight against financial crime, from Financial Intelligence Units and prosecutors to law enforcement agencies and even compliance officers from commercial banks. In Mozambique, participants highlighted the benefits of this joint approach: The course allowed us to engage with professionals from other agencies. It helped clarify how different institutions can collaborate and use financial intelligence more effectively. Others noted how the practical group exercise mirrored real inter-agency dynamics: The methodology, especially the teamwork component, reflects how we should be working in real life — analysts, investigators, and prosecutors together. Putting knowledge into practice Across all three countries, participants described the course as directly applicable. The blend of theory, tools and simulated investigation work gave them the confidence to apply new skills immediately. One participant in Ecuador reflected: The practical case helped us think like investigators and apply analytical techniques in a structured way. Participants particularly valued the exposure to diverse methods of gathering and analysing financial data. These elements came together in the simulated case that integrated automated tools such as database and OSINT search, along with AI-powered interview simulations. By working in a setting that closely mirrored reality, participants were able to visualise how these skills could be applied in their daily work. Positive signs The training programmes in Mozambique and Tanzania were delivered as part of the Basel Institute’s country programmes, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC . Both countries made significant progress in strengthening the effectiveness of their AML/CFT systems: the FATF confirmed Tanzania’s exit from its grey list of jurisdictions subject to increased monitoring in June 2025, while Mozambique’s Financial Intelligence Unit GiFIM joined the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units in July 2025. Learn more View ICAR’s training programmes on financial investigations and asset recovery for government agencies. Interested in learning opportunities as an individual? Check out our free eLearning courses and our new advanced study programme with the University of Basel on Combating Financial Crime Through Asset Recovery. The Expert Edition Plus service of our Basel AML Index – a widely used country index and risk assessment tool for money laundering and related financial crimes – allows users to view countries’ individual performance under the FATF’s Recommendations and Immediate Outcomes. Subscription is free for public-sector and non-profit organisations.
Protecting forests through corruption prevention: videos on promising initiatives in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru
How to promote transparency in controls and inspections of timber products? Why are standardised processes and procedures key to preventing corruption in forest management? How to create awareness among forestry staff as well as local and Indigenous communities, encouraging them to play an active role in corruption prevention? These are some of the questions discussed in a new series of videos that showcase promising initiatives in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. The videos emerge from two years of technical support for the prevention of forestry-related corruption in these three countries, with funding from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the UK's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. As the current programme drew to an end, we gathered the authorities we have been supporting to exchange lessons learned and strategies for the future during the first ever Regional Meeting on Corruption Prevention in Forest Management. The event took place on 22–24 October 2024 in Moyobamba in the San Martín region of Peru. In their own words In the videos taken during the regional event, representatives of the agencies involved in our programme share their experiences in key areas. The videos are in Spanish, but captions are available in English and other languages. Video 1: What is the Green Corruption programme? This video introduces the Basel Institute’s Green Corruption programme and the approach we use to assist government agencies in Latin America to prevent corruption in forestry management. Our methodology includes the mapping and prioritisation of corruption risks and then continuous support to help beneficiary agencies in developing and implementing tailored measures to mitigate priority risks. Video 2: Strengthened capacities to prevent corruption with an intercultural approach. This highlights the importance of developing a better understanding among forestry staff as well as local and Indigenous communities, and encouraging their active participation in corruption prevention activities for a better protection of the forest. Video 3: Efficient and transparent forest controls and inspections. This video explores ways to promote integrity and improve the efficiency of inspections, which are key to ensuring responsible management of forest resources. Video 4: Clear processes and technology to prevent corruption. The video emphasises the need to standardise processes and apply technological solutions to reduce discretion in forest management. Video 5: Sanctions as a deterrent to illegality. The final video highlights the importance of strengthening sanctioning processes to prevent environmental violations and promote regulatory compliance. An inspiration for others This video series aims to create awareness on what it means to apply corruption prevention tools in the forestry sector and the positive impact for forests and people. We congratulate all our government partners for their commitment and the impressive changes they are pioneering to protect the Amazon rainforest. We hope these videos can be an inspiration for other countries. See the full YouTube playlist here.
Joining forces to protect the Amazon forest and its communities from corruption
Leer versión en español aquí Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru are home to some of the world’s most important forests, and timber is a valuable natural resource. Protecting forests from threats posed by corruption is essential not only for protecting biodiversity and mitigating climate change, but also for protecting the livelihoods of local communities. Tackling forestry-related corruption is a task that transcends country borders and requires the active participation and collaboration of government authorities, experts and representatives of civil society and local Indigenous communities. That’s why we were thrilled to bring together national and subnational forestry agencies from Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru on 22–24 October 2024 for the first Regional Meeting on Anti-Corruption in Forest Management. They were joined by forest governance experts and civil society representatives committed to transparency and sustainability in natural resource management. The event took place under a Green Corruption project funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the UK's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. It was held in the city of Moyabamba in San Martín, Peru, whose government is a long-standing partner of our Public Finance Management programme. Sharing knowledge and best practices The meeting provided a platform for participants to share the results of their implementation of corruption risk management plans in their respective forestry sectors – a process carried out with our Green Corruption team’s technical assistance. Aldo Bautista, Senior Specialist, Corruption Prevention in the Green Corruption programme, explained Under this project, our team has been working hand in hand with six environmental agencies across Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, including national entities responsible for forest management. The resulting corruption risk assessments and management plans are focused on the timber value chain and on the conservation of protected areas. The five corruption risk management plans that we co-developed with our government partners highlight 21 high-priority risks in total and 33 mitigation measures that are being implemented with our team’s technical assistance. The six beneficiary agencies presented their corruption risk plans and the mitigation measures they had implemented to not only prevent corruption but also enhance the efficiency and transparency of forest management. The measures ranged from improvements to processes and regulations to technological innovations, capacity building, intercultural communication and the strengthening of enforcement and penalties. In addition, specialised agencies shared innovative approaches and tools to further enhance transparency and controls in forest management. Controls in practice: a low-cost smart microscope to verify timber The meeting also included field visits to see the impact of anti-corruption measures on the ground. At the national forestry control point of Aguas Claras, for example, participants saw how strategic inspection points help to reduce cases of illegal logging by ensuring that all timber products can be traced and their legal origin verified. The participants were particularly interested in the small, low-cost digital microscope that San Martín inspectors use to verify the timber being transported out of the area. Connected to a smartphone, the microscope allows inspectors to quickly and accurately match the timber to a list of various types of species. Participants from Ecuador and Bolivia actively interacted with the San Martin officer demonstrating the process, and are keen to use the same low-cost technology for detection in their countries. This highlights not only the value of peer learning and physical interaction, but also that controls and corruption prevention do not need to be expensive. Forest management isn’t only about inspections and controls to prevent illegal logging and trafficking – often it’s about sustainable management of legal trade in rare plant and tree species. At Agro Oriente Viveros, one of Peru’s largest and most modern plant nurseries, participants saw how San Martín carefully and sustainably manages its trade in orchids, for which the region is known. Working together for better sustainability initiatives This regional meeting not only provided a space to learn about different strategies to address corruption in the forestry sector but also facilitated network building among officials at different levels and from different countries. Opportunities such as these allow our partners to foster alliances across national boundaries, and lay foundations for a collaborative regional approach that can ultimately be adapted to each country’s specific needs. It is these connections which will ensure the continuity and sustainability of transparent and sustainable forest management practices in the region. From regional to global The benefits of this collaboration extend beyond the continent. Lessons learned in one region can be adapted to enhance forest management in other contexts. As Juhani Grossmann, Head of our Green Corruption programme, explains: Globally, one of the biggest challenges is that the anti-corruption tools available to governments are rarely or insufficiently used in the environmental sector. Our Green Corruption programme has been able to work with partners in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru to extend and strengthen existing anti-corruption tools for use by government forestry agencies. We are very grateful for the opportunity to work with our partners and learn more together about how anti-corruption tools can benefit biodiversity and conservation efforts. These are the lessons that we can share and use in other parts of the world. Juhani Grossmann was among the senior Basel Institute staff present at the meeting, together with the Basel Institute’s Head of Latin America Oscar Solórzano and key members of our Green Corruption and Public Finance Management teams. Broad participation The event welcomed the participation of partner agencies including: Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition Bolivia’s Authority for the Social Control of Forests and Land Peru’s National Forest and Wildlife Service The San Martín Regional Environmental Authority and the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area Also in attendance were the head of Peru’s national Public Integrity Secretariat and the Regional Governor of San Martín. We also welcomed representatives of the Supervisory Body for Forest Resources and Wildlife, the National Service for State-Protected Natural Areas, Amazon Conservation, the Institutional Integrity Unit of the San Martín Regional Government and the Ucayali Regional Government. Important contributions were made by civil society, including the World Wildlife Fund and the Proética the Peruvian chapter of Transparency International .
Unidos para proteger los bosques amazónicos y a sus comunidades frente a la corrupción
See English version here. Bolivia, Ecuador y Perú albergan algunos de los bosques más importantes del mundo, y la madera constituye un recurso natural de gran valor. Proteger estos bosques frente a las amenazas que representa la corrupción es fundamental no solo para preservar la biodiversidad y mitigar el cambio climático, sino también para salvaguardar los medios de vida de las comunidades locales. Abordar la corrupción relacionada con el sector forestal es una tarea que trasciende las fronteras nacionales y requiere la participación activa y la colaboración de autoridades gubernamentales, expertos, representantes de la sociedad civil y comunidades indígenas locales. Por ello, nos complació reunir a agencias forestales nacionales y subnacionales de Bolivia, Ecuador y Perú del 22 al 24 de octubre de 2024 en el Primer Encuentro Regional sobre Prevención de la Corrupción en el sector Forestal. Este evento contó con la participación de expertos en gobernanza forestal y representantes de la sociedad civil comprometidos con la transparencia y la sostenibilidad en la gestión de los recursos naturales. El evento se llevó a cabo en el marco de un proyecto Green Corruption financiado por la Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales de Narcóticos y Aplicación de la Ley del Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos y el Fondo para Conflictos, Estabilidad y Seguridad del Reino Unido. Se realizó en la ciudad de Moyobamba, en la región de San Martín, Perú, cuyo gobierno es un socio de larga data de nuestro programa de Gestión de Finanzas Públicas Programa GFP Subnacional . Intercambio de conocimientos y mejores prácticas El encuentro ofreció una plataforma para que las y los participantes compartieran los resultados de la implementación de sus planes de gestión de riesgos de corrupción en sus respectivos sectores forestales, un proceso llevado a cabo con la asistencia técnica de nuestro equipo de Green Corruption. Aldo Bautista, Especialista Senior en Prevención de la Corrupción del programa Green Corruption, explicó: En el marco de este proyecto, nuestro equipo ha trabajado de la mano con seis agencias ambientales en Bolivia, Ecuador y Perú, incluyendo entidades nacionales responsables de la gestión forestal. Las evaluaciones de riesgos de corrupción y los planes de gestión resultantes se centran en la cadena de valor de la madera y en la conservación de áreas protegidas. Los cinco planes de gestión de riesgos de corrupción que co-desarrollamos con nuestros socios gubernamentales destacan un total de 21 riesgos de alta prioridad y 33 medidas de mitigación que están siendo implementadas con la asistencia técnica de nuestro equipo. Las seis agencias beneficiarias presentaron sus planes de gestión de riesgos de corrupción y las medidas de mitigación implementadas, no solo para prevenir la corrupción, sino también para mejorar la eficiencia y la transparencia en la gestión forestal. Las medidas abarcaron desde mejoras en procesos y regulaciones hasta innovaciones tecnológicas, fortalecimiento de capacidades, comunicación intercultural y el refuerzo de mecanismos de control y sanciones. Además, agencias especializadas compartieron enfoques y herramientas innovadoras para fortalecer aún más la transparencia y los controles en la gestión forestal. Controles en práctica: un microscopio inteligente de bajo costo para verificar madera El encuentro incluyó visitas de campo para observar el impacto de las medidas anticorrupción en territorio. En el puesto nacional de control forestal de Aguas Claras, por ejemplo, las y los participantes pudieron ver cómo los puntos estratégicos de inspección ayudan a reducir casos de tala ilegal al garantizar que todos los productos de madera sean trazables y su origen legal pueda verificarse. Un aspecto que despertó especial interés por parte de los participantes fue el pequeño microscopio digital de bajo costo utilizado por los inspectores de San Martín para verificar la madera transportada fuera del área. Conectado a un teléfono inteligente, este dispositivo permite a los inspectores identificar de manera rápida y precisa las especies de madera en comparación con una lista de tipos registrados. Las y los participantes de Ecuador y Bolivia interactuaron activamente con el inspector de San Martín durante la demostración del proceso y manifestaron gran interés en implementar esta tecnología accesible en sus países para mejorar la detección. Esto resalta no solo el valor del aprendizaje entre pares y la interacción directa, sino también que los controles y la prevención de la corrupción no tienen que ser costosos. La gestión forestal no se limita a inspecciones y controles para prevenir la tala ilegal y el tráfico ilícito; a menudo, se trata del manejo sostenible del comercio legal de especies raras de plantas y árboles. En Agro Oriente Viveros, uno de los viveros más grandes y modernos de Perú, las y los participantes observaron cómo la región de San Martín gestiona cuidadosamente y de manera sostenible su comercio de orquídeas, una de las especialidades por las que la región es reconocida. Trabajando juntos por mejores iniciativas de sostenibilidad Este encuentro regional no solo brindó un espacio para conocer diferentes estrategias para abordar la corrupción en el sector forestal, sino que también facilitó la creación de redes entre funcionarios de distintos niveles y países. Oportunidades como esta permiten a nuestros socios fomentar alianzas que trasciendan fronteras nacionales y sentar las bases para un enfoque regional colaborativo que, en última instancia, pueda adaptarse a las necesidades específicas de cada país. Son estas conexiones las que garantizarán la continuidad y sostenibilidad de prácticas de gestión forestal transparentes y sostenibles en la región. De lo regional a lo global Los beneficios de esta colaboración trascienden el continente. Las lecciones aprendidas en una región pueden adaptarse para mejorar la gestión forestal en otros contextos. Como explica Juhani Grossmann, jefe de nuestro programa Green Corruption: A nivel global, uno de los mayores desafíos es que las herramientas anticorrupción disponibles para los gobiernos rara vez se utilizan o se emplean de manera insuficiente en el sector ambiental. Nuestro programa Green Corruption ha trabajado con socios en Bolivia, Ecuador y Perú para ampliar y fortalecer las herramientas anticorrupción existentes, para uso por parte de las agencias gubernamentales de gestión forestal. Estamos muy agradecidos por la oportunidad de trabajar con nuestros socios y aprender juntos cómo estas herramientas pueden beneficiar los esfuerzos de conservación y biodiversidad. Estas son las lecciones que podemos compartir y aplicar en otras partes del mundo. Juhani Grossmann fue uno de los funcionarios senior de Basel Institute presentes en el encuentro, junto con el jefe de América Latina de Basel Institute, Óscar Solórzano, y miembros clave de nuestros equipos de Green Corruption y Gestión de Finanzas Públicas. Amplia participación El evento contó con la participación de las siguientes agencias socias: Ministerio del Ambiente, Agua y Transición Ecológica de Ecuador Autoridad de Fiscalización y Control Social de Bosques y Tierra de Bolivia Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre de Perú Autoridad Regional Ambiental de San Martín y el Área de Conservación Regional Cordillera Escalera Asimismo, estuvieron presentes la máxima autoridad de la Secretaría de Integridad Pública Nacional de Perú y el Gobernador Regional de San Martín. También contamos con la participación de representantes del Organismo de Supervisión de los Recursos Forestales y de Fauna Silvestre, el Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado, Conservación Amazónica, la Unidad Funcional de Integridad Institucional del Gobierno Regional de San Martín y el Gobierno Regional de Ucayali. Asimismo, se recibieron importantes contribuciones de la sociedad civil, incluyendo al Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza World Wildlife Fund y Proética, el capítulo peruano de Transparencia Internacional.
Managing corruption risks in the timber value chain: new three-country course in Latin America
Corruption in the timber trade is a serious threat, economically and environmentally. Forest-rich countries in Latin America are particularly exposed. Those include Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, where our Green Corruption programme has been working with forestry authorities and environmental agencies to help them assess and mitigate corruption risks. A new virtual course now seeks to systematise and expand the capacity of officials across those three countries to assess and mitigate corruption risks in the timber value chain, including through peer learning and experience sharing. Developed and led by our Latin America-based Green Corruption specialists, the course will see a cohort of more than 200 officials participating in the course’s activities and sessions across seven weeks. In addition to public officials from forestry authorities and environmental agencies, researchers and Indigenous leaders are also among the participants. The course is part of a three-country programme funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs INL Bureau .\ Launching learning Our team launched the course “Corruption Risk Management in the Timber Value Chain” on 19 August at a well-attended online event. During the launch, our team provided a detailed description of the course's methodological design, educational resources and activities aimed at fostering dynamic and practical learning. Alongside video lectures, live learning sessions, reading and tests, there is a forum, group meetings, a group project and a scheduled "coffee break". The presentation also included a demonstration of the Basel LEARN platform, guiding attendees on how to navigate it and make the most of the tools available. Basel LEARN is now our central hub for the delivery of training programmes, though this is the first time we have run a training course with a three-country cohort over a period of several weeks. Gaining essential knowledge and practical skills At the end of the course, officials will be better equipped to: understand the role of corruption risk management in the timber value chain; identify and prioritise corruption risks that need to be addressed; prepare mitigation measures and enhance the organisation's preventive capacity overall. Though virtual, the course is designed to be as hands-on and interactive as possible. For example, a two-session workshop will see participants working together in small groups to analyse risks and submit the outcomes as a group project. The high number of registrants reflects the strong interest and commitment of participants in contributing to a more transparent and sustainable forestry sector. We look forward to supporting the learners as they progress through their journey and to facilitating discussions between officials across the region. \ The course and this article were funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. Any opinions, findings and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.
Publications
Preventing corruption in the timber value chain: Risk management experiences in Latin America
Corruption in the timber value chain is a major challenge for environmental sustainability and governance in Latin America.
This report presents the application of a corruption risk management approach by environmental authorities in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, implemented through technical assistance from the Basel Institute on Governance’s Green Corruption programme.
Key corruption risks
The report describes the main corruption risks identified in collaboration with five environmental authorities responsible for integrity in the timber value chain, covering:
- The granting of forestry rights
- The issuance and use of timber transport waybills
- The control and supervision of authorised actors.
The main corruption risks identified involve:
- Improper agreements between public servants and third parties
- Abuse of authority
- Undue influence or pressure from superiors
Mitigation measures
Planned mitigation measures fall into four main categories:
- Regulatory improvements, including updating procedures, closing implementation gaps and improving efficiency
- Strengthened supervision, such as file tracking systems and alerts to reduce discretion
- Enhanced communication, including multicultural approaches for Indigenous and rural communities
- Cross-cutting measures to promote integrity such as awareness-raising, ethical reflection and training
Given common patterns across natural resource sectors, these measures may be relevant for other environmental agencies, though they should be adapted to local contexts.
Lessons learned
The experiences in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru highlight the importance of tailoring risk management approaches to national contexts, ensuring institutional leadership and fostering inter-institutional collaboration. They also underline the value of peer learning and cross-border exchange.