IACC Day 5: Thursday, December 1, 2022:
Homeland Security Investigations/Department of Homeland Security Global Initiatives
Morning Workshop Discussants: John Condon, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (Tampa); Philip Chaves, Supervisory Special Agent, HSI; Walter Moran, Supervisory Special Agent, HSI-Department of Defense Liaison
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SSA Philip Chaves opened the workshop with an overview of the broad international reach of Homeland Security Investigations, ranging from narcotics trafficking, labor smuggling, trafficking in humans, money laundering, financial fraud and scams, sanctions violations, and cybercrime, among others. Chaves focused in on cyber- and financial crimes for the Anti-Corruption Champions group, noting that these types of crimes involve exploiting people, public safety, global trade, national security, and counterterrorism. The goal of these investigations is not only to dismantle international criminal networks, but to identify and prosecute third party money laundering operations in global and regional financial institutions. SSA Moran described the global footprint of Homeland Security Investigations, and the ways in which it collaborates with local and national authorities through transnational criminal investigative units. Working with partner nations, operations are conducted to identify, disrupt or dismantle international components of terrorist and illicit networks, focusing on information exchange, criminal case development, interdictions, seizures, arrests and prosecutions. SSA Moran presented a number of case studies showing how these criminal networks engage in corruption at all levels. SSA Chaves also presented case studies on “the perfect financial fraud”, a global Covid-19 scam, and a major government corruption bust in South America. SAC Condon joined in for a very lively Q&A with the visitors.
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