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 Facts about stolen assets, asset recovery, and the laundering of the proceeds of corruption

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Facts about stolen assets, asset recovery, and the laundering of the proceeds of corruption.

Politically Exposed Persons (Spanish Version - Versión en Español) - Preventive Measures for the Banking Sector

Combines policy recommendations and good practices aimed at making it harder for corrupt PEPs to launder their money, and make it easier to get stolen assets back.







A joint StAR-OECD Publication - The Identification and Quantification of the Proceeds of Bribery

Identification & Quantification of the Proceeds of Bribery

The new StAR and OECD study shows that financial gains from bribery can be accurately calculated and confiscated. The study draws on cases from six countries to show several methods of quantification that are already in use, and challenges the commonly-held perception that calculating the gains made by bribe-paying companies is too complicated.




Public Office, Private Interests: Accountability through Income and Asset Disclosure

Public Office, Private Interests: Accountability through Income and Asset Disclosure

The first global study of financial disclosure laws and practices, “Public Office, Private Interests: Accountability through Income and Asset Disclosure” calls for renewed commitment to income and asset disclosure to deter the use of public office for private gain and to help manage actual and apparent conflicts of interest in the public sector. The study also finds that asset disclosure systems are more effective when there is a credible threat that violations will be detected and punished.





Stolen Asset Recovery (French Version - Version Française) - A Good Practice Guide for Non-conviction-based Asset Forfeiture

Identifies the key concepts - legal, operational and practical - a procedure that provides for the seizure and forfeiture of of stolen assets without the need for a criminal conviction.





A joint StAR-OECD Publication - Tracking Anti-Corruption and Asset Recovery Commitments

StAR and the OECD have measured the progress of 30 donor countries in meeting their Accra commitments to (1) combat corruption by individuals or corporations, and (2) track, freeze, and recover stolen assets. The report describes challenges in meeting the commitments, as well as good practices and recommendations for countries of origin and destination of stolen assets.


View/Download Full Report (PDF) >>




StAR Publication - The Puppet Masters: How the Corrupt Use Legal Structures to Hide Stolen Assets and What to Do About It

This new StAR report examines how bribes, embezzled state assets and other criminal proceeds are being hidden via legal structures – shell companies, foundations, trusts and others. The study also provides policy makers with practical recommendations on how to step up ongoing international efforts to uncover flows of criminal funds and prevent criminals from misusing shell companies and other legal entities.

Press Release >>
Fact Sheet [ English | French | Spanish | Arabic ]
View Full Report [ Download (PDF) | Read on-line (Adobe Flash required) ]
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StAR Asset Recovery Watch Launched

Asset Recovery Watch launched by the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative, is the first systematic compilation of information on past and current recovery cases involving corruption. Among 75 cases, StAR Asset Recovery Watch features 52 countries of origin of corrupt public officials and 34 jurisdictions from which stolen assets have been recovered since 1980.


UNCAC Legal Library and Anti-Corruption Portal Launched

The UNCAC Legal Library, released on September 1, 2011 by the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative, is a comprehensive database of anti-corruption and asset recovery legislation and jurisprudence from over 175 States, systematized in accordance with the requirements of the Convention. The Legal Library is part of a web-based anti-corruption portal known as TRACK (Tools and Resources for Anti-Corruption Knowledge). It is a powerful tool that brings together legal and non-legal knowledge on anti-corruption and asset recovery for Member States, the anti-corruption community and the general public.


Press Release >>
Go to TRACK Portal >>

Fact Sheet [English | French]


StAR Publication - Barriers to Asset Recovery

Barriers to Asset Recovery, released on June 21, 2011 by the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative, advises policy makers on reforms that will enable the recovery of stolen assets. Drawing on consultations with over 50 practitioners around the globe, the study identifies challenges to asset recovery, and recommends eight strategic actions and best practices for policy makers, legislators and practitioners. It is a powerful tool that will help policy makers design a comprehensive strategy for recovering the proceeds of corruption in their countries.


Press Release >>
View Full Report >>

Fact Sheet [English | Spanish | French | Arabic]

Asset Recovery Handbook

Developing countries lose between $20 billion and $40 billion each year to bribery, embezzlement, and other corrupt practices. Over the past 15 years only $5 billion has been recovered and returned. A new handbook seeks to help close this gap. The Asset Recovery Handbook, released today by the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative of the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, provides practitioners with a how-to guide for recovering stolen assets.


Press Release >>
View Full Report >>

Video Interviews from "No Safe Havens: A Global Forum on Stolen Asset Recovery and Development"

Mo Ibrahim, Founder, Mo Ibrahim Foundation & Celtel International
Jeff Radebe, Minister of Justice & Constitutional Development, South Africa
Ali Hashim, Minister of Finance & Treasury, Maldives
Akere Muna, Vice-Chair, Transparency International
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