United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Liaison and Partnership Office (LPO) in Brazil

UNODC marks National Day for the Prevention of Money-laundering

Brasilia, 29 October 2013 - Today, 29 October, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Brazilian institutions that make up the National Strategy to Counter Corruption and Money-laundering (ENCCLA, in Portuguese) celebrate the National Day for the Prevention of Money-laundering. The goal is to promote a culture of legitimacy and raise awareness about the problems generated by this crime. 

"The public doesn't know that behind money-laundering there is transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking and corruption", said the Representative of the UNODC Liaison and Partnership Office in Brazil, Rafael Franzini. "This is a crime that does not appear to make victims, so it is important to raise awareness among the Brazilian public - civil society, private sector and government - to let everyone know that money-laundering allows criminals to enjoy their illicit wealth and undertake new illegal affairs".

The estimated amount of money laundered annually worldwide is between 2% and 5% of global GDP, that is, something between US$ 800 billion and US$ 2 trillion. The proceeds from money laundering foster the creation of a culture of easy money that has crept into society, creating situations of insecurity, threats, extortion and corruption. Each year, these illicit funds ensure the growth of criminal groups, the expulsion of their competitors from the market, the increase of prices for goods and services, as well as the intimidation of the population.

The campaign to mark the National Day for the Prevention of Money-laundering was created by the Safe and Responsible Businesses programme, an initiative of the UNODC office in Colombia, the Colombian Ministry of Justice and Law, the British Embassy in Colombia and the Chamber of Commerce of Bogotá.

It is being implemented in several countries around South America, with the support of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organization of American States (CICAD/OAS) and the Financial Action Task Force of South America (GAFISUD).

Related information:

National Day for the Prevention of Money-laundering campaign (in Portuguese and Spanish)

Safe and Responsible Businesses

Press Contact:

Ana Paula Canestrelli

Communications Assistant - UNODC Liaison and Partnership Office in Brazil

anapaula.canestrelli@unodc.org

Tel: (+55 61) 3204-7206

Cel: (+55 61) 8143-4652

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