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New Zealand Announces New Plan to Quash Organized Crime |
| Source: |
Xinhua |
| Source Date: |
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 |
| Focus: |
ICT for MDGs
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| Country: |
New Zealand |
| Created: |
Aug 30, 2011 |
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The New Zealand government Tuesday unveiled proposals to combat organized crime, including plans to crack down on corruption and to tighten regulations on establishing companies and trusts.
Justice Minister Simon Power and Police Minister Judith Collins said in a report titled "Strengthening New Zealand's Resistance to Organised Crime, an All-of-Government Response" that different government agencies must work more closely in dealing with the problem.
The report aimed to create safer communities, make New Zealand a trusted international partner in fighting crime, and increase confidence in the country's markets.
Over the past five years, New Zealand agencies had been advised of cases of serious offending abroad, involving around 150 New Zealand registered companies, said the report.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand had identified around 1,000 New Zealand registered companies and limited partnerships potentially involved in financial frauds overseas.
Experience suggested the use of criminal "front" companies was internationally prevalent, with a "global market for shell companies provided through trust and company service providers," it said.
Legislation was underway to require New Zealand companies to either have a New Zealand resident director or a resident agent and to improved abilities to de-register registered companies and limited partnerships for overseas criminality.
Also in the pipeline were regulations of New Zealand trust and company services providers under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act to improve collection of information on beneficial interests to assist investigating and prosecuting serious crimes.
The report said other key areas where legislative and operational efforts could be improved included information sharing and legal assistance between domestic and international agencies; and the prevention of bribery and corruption in the private and public sectors.
It would also improve measures to recover proceeds from money laundering and crime, as well as cybercrime investigation and enforcement, and the prevention of identity crime.
Power and Collins said the plan signaled an escalation in the fight against criminal networks and placed a stronger focus on disrupting the money trail.
The moves were necessary to enhance detection of organized criminal activity and ensure that investigations, enforcement and remedies were efficient and effective.
The plan drawn up by the Ministry of Justice with the New Zealand Police, the Organised and Financial Crime Agency (OFCANZ), the Serious Fraud Office, Ministry of Economic Development and other agencies would enhance collaboration between justice sector and regulatory agencies and the private sector in New Zealand and abroad.
Collins said organized criminal groups in New Zealand and internationally were increasingly turning to cybercrime and financial crimes, such as identity theft, fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.
"There is also an increasing convergence between criminals and businesses in finance, transport, private security, entertainment, real estate and various trade related industries in New Zealand," she said.
"These partnerships facilitate their real businesses violence, extortion, drug running, fraud, money laundering and counterfeit goods.
"Money underpins crime, so government agencies are stepping up efforts to confiscate the proceeds of crime and work more closely with the financial sector to ensure there are no weak links in our rules and systems that criminals can exploit."
Power said he had asked justice sector and regulatory agencies to work more closely together.
"A number of legislative reforms are before Parliament or are being developed, which will address key issues," said Power.
"But these networks can change tactics rapidly to take advantage of gaps in laws, technology, trade, and financial systems, so our response needs to be equally adaptable and, more importantly, use all the resources we have at our disposal."
The response would be implemented over three years and reviewed annually, he said.
The initial phase would involve legislation to remove impediments to the effective combating and disruption of organized crime.
The final plan would be included in an omnibus Organised Crime Amendment Bill before Parliament next year.
New Zealand's established base for responding to organized crime included OFCANZ, a biennial organized crime threat assessment, and initiatives, such the New Zealand Police methamphetamine and organized crime control strategies, enhanced criminal proceeds recovery and anti-money laundering legislation, and the National Cyber Security Strategy.
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New Zealand Announces New Plan to Quash Organized Crime The New Zealand government Tuesday unveiled proposals to combat organized crime including plans to crack down on corruption and to tighten regulations on establishing companies and trusts
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