Conference Highlights Cross-Border Crime

Cross-border fraud and corruption are being targeted today in a high-level EC-funded event.

Issues such as cigarette smuggling, fuel smuggling, oils, alcohol and cross-border VAT frauds are all in the spotlight at the two-day conference.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP) Ireland, James Hamilton and the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland, Sir Alasdair Fraser jointly hosted an EU co-financed conference in Dublin today.

'Cross Border Fraud, Corruption and European Union Financial Interests' - is co-financed by the Anti Fraud Office of the European Union (OLAF) and will run over two days.

It has attracted some 130 officers and practitioners from investigative, prosecutorial and asset seizing agencies from over 26 European countries.

The focus is on the issues facing the investigator, prosecutor and Revenue/Customs agencies in dealing with trans-national fraud, facilitate exchanges of information and experience, identify and share best practices and enhance multi-agency cooperation and networking throughout the European Union.

The conference will address a range of topics including the EU perspective on the fight against fraud and corruption; the mechanics of cross border fraud; investigations into the audit trail left by the transfer of funds and the fight against corruption and European co-operation in the area of mutual assistance and European arrest warrants.

Also on the agenda are methods of investigation and intelligence sharing in cross-border fraud cases, the preparation and prosecution of cross border fraud cases and protecting the European Union from cross-border fraud.

Speaking at the start of the conference, Irish DPP, James Hamilton said: "Organised crime and in particular cross-border fraud is a huge challenge facing all of us.

"Evidence shows us that organised criminals are increasingly sophisticated, operating across borders and continents.

"They constantly seek to change their methods of operating in order to evade the attention of law enforcement agencies and it is vital that we too keep pace with emerging trends to ensure that our efforts are appropriately and effectively targeted," he said.

"We therefore need an international response to an international problem. That challenge can only be met through collective responsibility and effective co-operation locally, nationally and internationally.

"Through cooperation, sharing of intelligence and expertise we can add real value in combating organised crime," he stated.

Commenting on the nature and impact of such fraud, the NI DPP, Sir Alasdair Fraser said: "Organised criminals have a long tradition of exploiting tax differentials and currency fluctuations particularly in border areas on the island of Ireland.

"These activities have caused losses to both jurisdictions and to European Union financial interests, revenue which is vital to maintain and improve critical public services and bolster our economy.

"Make no mistake, cigarette smuggling, fuel smuggling, oils, alcohol and cross-border VAT frauds are crimes," he said, noting that they hit every citizen across Ireland.

European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for administrative affairs, audit and anti-fraud, welcomed the conference objectives: "Given that the fraudsters do not recognise borders, co-operation, information exchange and mutual assistance across borders are essential to the Commission and to OLAF to ensure that EU funds receive the same level of protection as national funds."

(BMcC)