Manama: The National Forum on Strengthening Capabilities to Combat Organised Fraud was inaugurated today, organised by the Public Prosecution in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute. The event saw the presence of notable figures including Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council and President of the Court of Cassation, and Attorney General Dr. Ali bin Fadhl Al Buainain.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the two-day forum brings together judges, public prosecutors, judicial officers from the Financial Intelligence National Centre (FINC), and the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption, Economic and Electronic Security at the Ministry of Interior. Additionally, staff from the Central Bank of Bahrain and other banks and financial institutions are participating.
Dr. Al Buainain emphasized the serious impact of fraud on individuals, the economy, and investor confidence. He highlighted that the rise of organised, cross-border, and technologically advanced fraud necessitates a comprehensive understanding of international countermeasures and the latest judicial and security methods for investigation, evidence collection, and prosecution at both national and international levels.
He further stated that the Public Prosecution and relevant authorities have significant responsibilities in protecting the country's economic assets and safeguarding individuals' rights. This requires improving performance through forums like this and seeking practical solutions to challenges faced by authorities to strengthen their capabilities in combating financial crimes.
The forum features sessions on emerging fraud patterns, best judicial and security practices, organised and electronic fraud, the role of banks and financial institutions in prevention, technical capabilities for monitoring suspicious activity and collecting evidence, international cooperation to track cross-border fraud, and mechanisms to reduce these crimes.