Asset recovery and enforcement
Strengthening enforcement to fight financial crime and recover illicit assets.
Corruption and financial crimes – from drug trafficking to fraud – continue to plague countries of all income levels. Huge amounts of funds are diverted from citizens, businesses and public treasuries to the pockets of the criminals and the corrupt.
Effectively enforcing laws against corruption and financial crimes, and recovering illicit assets, is vital to mobilise resources for development and reduce reliance on external aid. It strengthens criminal justice systems and upholds the rule of law – essential for civic trust, stability and investment.
At the Basel Institute on Governance, we support partner governments across four continents to build the capacity to detect, investigate, prosecute financial crimes and recover stolen assets. Our aim is to catalyse sustained improvements in asset recovery systems both within countries and internationally.
How we do it
International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR)
Since 2006, ICAR has specialised in helping countries to build long-term capability to investigate corruption and recover illicit funds. Drawing on that hands-on experience, we work with global partners to advance international asset recovery and achieve a fairer, more just world for all. ICAR’s strategic approach combines:
Training & learning
Our training approach involves participants from across agencies working together to “follow the money” in simulated cases tailored to the local context. Interactive and practical eLearning courses allow participants to gain skills in investigation and financial analysis.
Learn moreCase advice
Hands-on mentoring for frontline investigators and prosecutors to advance complex financial crime cases and build long-term capacity.
Legal, policy & institutional strengthening
Guidance to close gaps in laws, policies and practices that hinder efforts to fight corruption, recover assets and implement international standards.
Global policy & innovation
Feeding on-the-ground insights into global policy dialogues, through case studies, research and participation in asset recovery forums.
Since 2006, our 40+ team of former prosecutors, lawyers and (financial) investigators have contributed to tangible progress including:
- Advancing major transnational corruption and asset recovery cases, involving high-profile individuals and complex money laundering chains – with billions of CHF targeted in our current case portfolio and over CHF 50 million confiscated or returned in 2024 alone.
- Developing and implementing innovative asset recovery laws and tools, from non-conviction based forfeiture legislation to novel frameworks governing the return of confiscated assets.
- Fostering capable leaders and communities of practice who are driving enforcement and asset recovery success in their countries and internationally.
Targeting the finances behind environmental crimes
One pillar of our Green Corruption programme focuses on applying “follow the money” approaches to environmental crime and corruption cases.
Since 2018, we have assisted environmental enforcement authorities with tailored training and case assistance. Some have now achieved their first ever asset recovery successes, including in cases targeting millions of dollars in assets linked to forestry, gold trafficking, illegal wildlife trade and more.
Based on our hands-on experience, and often in partnership with public, international and civil society partners, we develop cutting-edge research and tools for tackling green corruption enforcement challenges.
Peru: Asset recovery by subnational governments
As part of a wider Public Finance Management assistance programme in Peru, we support subnational governments in rolling out and applying the country’s powerful non-conviction based forfeiture law.
This effort has led to the recovery of millions of dollars in misappropriated public funds and is helping to reduce impunity for corruption in Peru’s regional and local communities.
Learn more about our assistance programme in Peru, Programa GFP Subnacional or see the “Quispe Callo” case example.
An adaptive approach
The effectiveness of asset recovery and enforcement efforts depends greatly on local political and economic dynamics. Social norms and behaviours also affect how well institutions function and laws are implemented.
With insights from our Prevention, Research and Innovation team, we adapt our technical assistance strategies to changes in the political and governance environment. We anticipate resistance to legal reforms and identify opportunities to maximise impact, ensuring any donor funds are used effectively.
Navigating the political context: practice insights and adaptive strategies to strengthen the asset recovery and anti-corruption chain
Featured tools, courses, services
Latest news
From prosecutor to asset recovery trainer: Tom Walugembe
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Five Ukrainian anti-corruption practitioners certified as national trainers
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El desmantelamiento de la ley de recuperación de activos más exitosa de Perú es un paso atrás para el país - y la justicia
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Dismantling Peru’s most successful asset recovery law is a step backwards for the country – and justice
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Keeping Europe safe means keeping up with corruption and financial crime threats
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Aid cuts make asset recovery even more crucial
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Zambia: Five local trainers certified to train peers in financial investigations and asset recovery
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Smarter blockchain investigations: insights from INTERPOL
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Unlocking blockchain intelligence to tackle illicit crypto use
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The EU’s anti-corruption directive enters a critical juncture
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