Agensies and their personnel

The Organized Crime Control Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs acts on economic crimes based on the gravity and scope of the investigation and, in some cases, will conduct joint investigations with the Economic Crimes Control Department. The Federal Service of the Tax Police initiates investigations as they relate to tax offenses. The Russian Customs Service has re­sponsibility to prosecute violations of customs and other commer­cial fraud. Any of these agencies can request the participation of any of the others in a joint investigation when investigatory inter­ests coincide.

Access to bank records and information without a prosecutor's order is given to the courts, arbitrary courts, tax inspection and tax police units, and customs, in cases stipulated by legislation. Any investigative, operational, or law enforcement unit that has a prose­cutor's order may inspect bank records and information. The law enforcement units compel banks and NBFLs to give evidence in fi­nancial investigations by means of a judicial order.

Under the proposed anti-money laundering bill, the agencies re­sponsible for combating money laundering and their areas of re­sponsibilities are specified. The State Tax Police Department and the Ministry of Finance are empowered to oversee the activities of all business enterprises, institutions, and organizations. The Bank of Russia is responsible for oversight of all banking transactions. A clause is included that also lists other ministries, departments, and executive bodies, as responsible for combating money laundering within the limits of their competence.

The proposed draft law names the General Prosecutor's Office as a central authority for coordinating overall policy and resolving any disputes between the agencies responsible for combating money laundering.

Training for law enforcement personnel that deal with financial crime is active and ongoing. Personnel are recruited for their posi­tions based on their financial or economic backgrounds and previ­ous positions with experience in investigations, prosecutions, and seizures. Russian law enforcement agencies are associated with fi­nancial training institutes and academies, where initial training pro­grams and refresher training range from several months to five years in length.

The pigeon drop scheme

The pigeon drop scheme has many variations and the following is but one possible scenario. A stranger approaches you on the street and starts up a conversation As you are conversing another stranger nearby claims to having just found a large amount of money. The discussion turns to what should be done with the money. Stranger number two claims to work for a lawyer and leaves to seek legal advice.

The finder returns to say that the lawyer advises to say that the money should be put into a trust for a certain amount of time, until the owner is located. If unclaimed at the end of the time period, the money is to be shared among those in the group. However, to ensure that all those in the group are legitimate, a specified amount of money is to be deposited in the trust by each member of the group.

The con-artist then adds that once the lawyer has all the money, for an additional fee the waiting period can be waived. Both strangers then advise you to withdraw the amount of money re­quired.

The stranger who claims to work for the lawyer then offers to take the money to the lawyer, sign the papers and return with your share. The stranger then returns and advises that the lawyer wants to speak to you personally, and gives you directions to the office. Your search for the office is fruitless and you soon realize that you have been conned.

This con, like many, appeals to a weakness in human nature... the desire to get something for nothing.

Never give cash to a stranger!!!

Land Speculation

People wishing to purchase a vacation or retirement properly often find themselves trapped in land investment schemes. Through the use of slick advertising, unscrupulous promoters seduce poten­tial victims into buying worthless property. If the price seems too good to be true or it is «an urgent once in a lifetime opportunity» you may be buying a desert bed miles from civilization or swamp land that remain under water even during a drought. Never purchase property sight unseen. Visit the area, view the property, and have it properly appraised.

Do your homework … investigate before buying!!!

Home Improvement Schemes

Most home improvement contractors are legitimate and provide a useful service. A small percentage of these contractors are not so honest. Con-artists practicing home improvement schemes often solicit contracts from home owners by misrepresenting the neces­sity for repairs or the value of the home improvements. These op­erators will ask to be paid in cash, often in advance or with large deposits in advance. The contractual work is then often poorly done or not performed at all. Before making a commitment:

- Check with the Better Business Bureau regarding the hon­esty and reputation of the contractor;

- Obtain other estimates from reputable contractors;

- Never pay for the work in advance; pay after it has been completed and examined;

- If the person represents a utility company ask for proper identification;

- Carefully read all forms and contracts before signing;

- Never let anyone rush you into signing a contract or handing over cash.