Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Services, Why Do You Need it?
There are many advantages to outsourcing portions of your Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance program to CRI Group™
CRI™ Anti-money laundering (AML) advisory services help analyse systems and develop effective solutions that reduce your company’s risk of falling prey to employee, supplier or outside corporate and financial crimes. An effective AML framework is a testament to your organisation’s position against crime.
Our unmatched investigative capabilities, worldwide presence and a long-standing reputation for independence and integrity make us uniquely qualified to resolve regulatory concerns.
Our vast Anti-Corruption and Compliance network provides the protection you need when making critical bottom-line decisions crucial to your organisation’s success. Leave it for experts. Ensure you have the 360-degrees analysis of your challenges – get in touch with the experienced CRI Group’s AML team for a bespoke quote.
Meet stakeholder expectations and safeguard your corporate reputation and competitive positioning
As a global business entity with a range of subsidiary partner operations that cross several distinct business sectors (including but not limited to telecommunication, financial services, petrochemicals, energy production/distribution, chemicals, fertilisers and food), your organisation needs to recognise that it is targeted by hostile entities seeking to take advantage of your market presence.
One of the critical challenges is corporate finance’s control and movement and the need to ensure that effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML Framework) procedures and practices are in place. Refusal to accept the risks and your organisation is openly exposed to:
- Corporate Fraud;
- Corruption;
- Exploitation from the theft of money & other assets.
You need to comply with national, regional, and international legislative frameworks such as:
- Section 453 of the 2017 Companies Act (Pakistan); and
- UK’s Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2000).
More fundamentally, money that is unknowingly, unwittingly or (in the case of fraud and corruption) even consciously ‘laundered’ through the organisation could ultimately support, finance and promote international terrorism and the drugs trade.
A money-laundering prevention program is an essential element among institutions’ measures to protect their operations and promote trust among their clients and partners. CRI Group™ works with clients to design, implement, and refine comprehensive AML policies and procedures and establish an overarching compliance strategy and culture, including firm-wide training on AML compliance that reflects the latest regulatory and enforcement trends and industry best practices.
As global corporate citizens aware of their responsibilities, any international organisation must comprehensively address these concerns and implement policies, procedures, and associated risk assessment mechanisms.
Consequences of an absent AML framework
To have insufficient controls and be charged with engaging in money laundering can have any of the following negative consequence
- Damaged corporate reputations & brand devaluation
- Eroding employee morale
- Potential consumer boycotts
- Negative investor perceptions
- Possible legal action
- Fines & potential jail terms for directors
Contact CRI™ today and learn more about how your organisation can remain in full compliance with all applicable AML laws and regulations, giving you, your partners and your clients the confidence of knowing that the organisation, and its reputation, is protected from the negative consequences of money laundering.
AML Due Diligence with CRI Group™
Complying with AML regulations requires taking a risk-based approach towards assessing the risks from doing business with customers and third parties. CRI Group™ offers a broad spectrum of risk-based screening, monitoring, and due diligence solutions that suit the needs of AML compliance professionals. We provide tailored solutions commensurate with the level of risk involved.
There are many advantages to outsourcing portions of your AML compliance program to CRI Group™. More and more, in-house compliance professionals have faced internal financial pressures and resource constraints while looking to build an effective and robust AML program. CRI Group™ can help supplement your existing efforts and provide AML and due diligence solutions capabilities worldwide.
AML Service Capabilities
CRI™ excels at deterring, detecting and investigating crimes against businesses. We achieve success using a global network of professionals specially trained in Anti-Corruption, Risk Management and Compliance due diligence, and corporate investigations. More importantly, our technical capabilities and multi-national resources enable us to perform the following scope of work for your organisation to demonstrate adequate procedures and to provide a complete solution consisting:
- In-Depth AML Risk Assessment
- GAP Analysis for the scope of ISO 37301 Compliance Management System
- Provision of AML Framework
- Global Sanction Screening & Third-Party Risk Management
- Money laundering reporting officer (MLRO)
- Policy statement
- AML framework – scope of the AML framework
- What is money laundering – regulatory requirements
- Identifying financing terrorism
- Corporate principles – an ethical & integrated business approach
- Screening of politically exposed persons & sanctions
- Suspicious activity reporting, tipping off & sar submission
- Record keeping
CRI™ professionals work closely with your business to analyse systems and develop effective solutions that reduce your company’s risk of falling prey to employee, supplier or outside corporate and financial crimes. Our vast Anti-Corruption and Compliance network provides the protection you need when making critical bottom-line decisions crucial to your organisation’s success.
CRI Group™ excels at deterring, detecting and investigating crimes against businesses. We achieve success using a global network of professionals specially trained in Anti-Corruption, Risk Management and Compliance due diligence, and corporate investigations– a complete 360-Degrees AML management solution. More importantly, our technical capabilities and multi-national resources enable us to perform the following scope of work for your organisation to demonstrate adequate procedures:
- In-Depth Anti-Money Laundering Risk Assessment;
- GAP Analysis for the scope of ISO 37301 Compliance Management System;
- Provision of AML Framework; and
- Global Sanction Screening and Third-Party Risk Management
CRI Group™ helps clients expertly and efficiently resolve gaps and deficiencies in their AML compliance programs. We offer diligence remediation services to assist our clients with changes in the law and/or internal firm policies. CRI Group™ also offers transactional remediation services when clients require a “look back” to evaluate in-house performance and compliance.
Who is CRI Group™?
Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider.
We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be.
CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.
In 2016, CRI Group™ launched Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body that provides education and certification services for individuals and organisations on a wide range of disciplines and ISO standards, including ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management- Guidelines; ISO 37000:2021 Governance of Organisations; ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management System; ISO 37301:2021 (formerly ISO 19600) Compliance Management system (CMS); Anti-Money Laundering (AML); and ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems ABMS. ABAC™ offers a complete suite of solutions designed to help organisations mitigate the internal and external risks associated with operating in multi-jurisdiction and multi-cultural environments while assisting in developing frameworks for strategic compliance programs. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certification and training.
CRI Group™ invites you to schedule a quick appointment with us to discuss in more detail how our risk management solutions can help you and your organisation.
External Protection: Due Diligence Investigations
Due Diligence Investigations Can Give You External Protection
Due Diligence investigations involve thoroughly identifying, evaluating and verifying all available information on a person, company or entity. By conducting a comprehensive due diligence investigation through a reliable partner, you can make informed and confident business decisions – especially important when you’re hiring or considering prospective business partners or new commercial relationships – and protect your organization and team from external risks.
With corruption rife on an international scale, due diligence investigations with a global reach are more important than ever. To protect your business from liabilities and regulatory non-compliance and to ensure successful, legitimate business transactions, you must make sure your organization has timely and accurate business intelligence as a business leader.
Due diligence is called for whenever an individual or company enters into a high-stakes transaction. For example, if your company is considering acquiring a piece of real estate, purchasing another business, or hiring a job candidate to fill a top position, a due diligence investigation can uncover information that might not be readily available. Companies may also benefit from investigating potential clients, overseas business partners, and intellectual property.
In theory, anyone can perform a due diligence investigation. However, the process is time-consuming and requires access to a wide range of data sources. Most companies hire professional investigators who have the time and the expertise to do in-depth due diligence research properly and legally and to provide an informed analysis of potential risks. CRI Group™ uses a proven, multi-faceted research approach to third-party investigations involving a global array of databases, court and public record searches, local contacts, industry and media resources, and in-depth web-based research. Our resources include:
- International business verification
- Individual business interest search
- Personal profile on individual subjects
- Company profile on corporate entities
- Historical ownership analysis
- Identification of subsidiaries and connected parties
- Global and national criminality and regulatory records check
- World-check politically exposed person database
- international media research
- Country-specific databased that include litigation checks, law enforcement agencies and capital market, regulators
- Company background analysis
- Industry reputational assessment
- FCPA, UK Anti-Bribery and corruption risks databases
- Global terrorism check
- Global Financial authorities check
- Money laundering risk databases
- Financial reports
CRI Group™ investigations delve deep into every aspect of the third-party provider, including operational performance, financial condition, reputation, references, present and past litigation, key principals, internal controls, current relationships, customer services, quality control and insurance coverage. A company’s reputation is one of its greatest assets and should be protected at all costs. Unfortunately, one dishonest associate or poor choice of investment can do a lot of damage to a company’s image as well as to its bottom line. A proper due diligence investigation can protect you and your business from bad investments, unpleasant surprises, and even legal troubles. Getting a more complete picture of a situation through due diligence can help you make better, more profitable decisions. If you’re ready to perform a due diligence investigation but don’t know where to start, contact CRI Group™ today.
Who is CRI Group™?
Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background-screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.
We’d like to share with you 10 great reasons to partner with CRI Group™ today:
- CRI Group™’s personal touch: Our high level of service sets us apart from our competitors: As your partner, our team become members of your team – working for you with our “boots on the ground” approach to gathering information. Our experts excel at deterring, detecting and investigating fraud and other crimes against businesses.
- Our vast business intelligence network: We access information from 180 countries, gathering local knowledge in places our competitors cannot. Our presence in Pakistan, Oman, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, as well as other countries in Africa and the whole of Southeast Asia, means that many of our competitors contact us for information from those countries.
- Competitive pricing: CRI Group™ does not maintain the high overhead of larger firms, many of which lack our specialisation and level of individual client attention. We work within your budget, as CRI™ Group’s prices are consistently lower than our competitors’ rates.
- “3PRM” – Our Third-Party Risk Management Strategy™: At CRI Group™, we have developed our own comprehensive service for helping clients manage third-party risks. Our team of experts provide the highest level of protection for companies worldwide.
- CRI Group™’s wide knowledge base: Our experts come from a variety of professions and possess industry knowledge and experience serving clients spanning the oil and energy, banking, investments, international finance, and public and privately held multinational business sectors. CRI Group™ professionals work closely with your business to analyse systems and develop effective solutions that reduce the risk of your company falling prey to employees, suppliers or outside crime.
- Our background checks catch everything: CRI Group™’s background screening and pre-employment screening services expose vulnerabilities and threats within your organisation and can significantly reduce the potential of business and financial crime, fraud and malpractice from occurring within your workplace.
- We’re recognised and acclaimed: As well as winning awards for “Anti-Fraud Advisor of the Year,” “Leading Adviser in UAE”, and “Business Due-Diligence Firm of the Year,” CRI Group™ is also working towards the “Investors in People” accreditation.
- We are discreet: Let’s face it; there are some problems you just don’t want announced to the world. Fraud, internal investigations, due diligence or liability issues – CRI Group™’s experts are trained to maintain the highest levels of client confidentiality. We keep your private business private.
- Our updates keep you in the know: As industry experts, we offer a publication called Fraud 360, which is produced on a quarterly basis, with monthly email updates offering awareness, knowledge, latest trends and helpful advice for companies on fraud. If you would like to be on our mailing list, please subscribe here.
- CRI Group™ is truly international. We maintain offices in UAE, Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States and the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit www.crigroup.com.
Check out our “Why Partner With CRI Group™” InfoPack
In 2016, CRI Group™ launched Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301:2021 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification. ABAC™ operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. As a result, CRI Group™’s global team of certified fraud examiners work as a discreet white-labelled supplier to some of the world’s largest organizations. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certifications and trainings.
Why Partner with CRI Group™? We’re Glad You Asked
Since 1990, Corporate Research and Investigations Limited “CRI Group™” has safeguarded businesses from fraud and corruption, providing insurance fraud investigations, employee background screening, investigative due diligence, third-party risk management, compliance and other professional investigative research services. CRI Group’s expertise will add to the diverse pool of business support services available within your region. We’d like to share with you 10 great reasons to partner with CRI Group™ today:
1. CRI Group’s personal touch
Our high level of service sets us apart from our competitors: As your partner, our team become members of your team – working for you with our “boots on the ground” approach to gathering information. Our experts excel at deterring, detecting and investigating fraud and other crimes against businesses. We also have a flat structure which means that you will have direct access to senior staff members throughout the due diligence process.
2. Our vast business intelligence network
We access information from 180 countries, gathering local knowledge in places our competitors cannot. Our presence in Pakistan, Oman, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, and other countries in Africa and the whole of Southeast Asia, means that many of our competitors contact us for information from those countries.
3. Competitive pricing
CRI Group™ does not maintain the high overhead of larger firms, many of which lack our specialisation and level of individual client attention. We work within your budget, as CRI Group™’s prices are consistently lower than our competitors’ rates.
4. “3PRM” – Our Third-Party Risk Management Strategy™
At CRI Group™, we have developed our comprehensive service for helping clients manage third-party risks. Our extensive solutions include due diligence, employee pre and post background screening, business intelligence and compliance, facilitating any decision-making across your business no matter what area or department. Making our solutions easily customisable flexible, we will tailor our scope to address your concerns and risk areas, saving you time and money.
5. CRI Group™’s wide knowledge base
Our experts come from various professions and possess industry knowledge and experience serving clients spanning the oil and energy, banking, investments, international finance, and public and privately held multinational business sectors. CRI Group™ professionals work closely with your business to analyse systems and develop effective solutions that reduce the risk of your company falling prey to employees, suppliers or outside crime.
6. Our background checks catch everything
CRI Group™’s background screening and pre-employment screening services expose vulnerabilities and threats within your organisation and can significantly reduce the potential of business and financial crime, fraud and malpractice from occurring within your workplace.
7. We’re recognised and acclaimed
As well as winning awards for “Anti-Fraud Advisor of the Year,” “Leading Adviser in UAE”, and “Business Due-Diligence Firm of the Year,” and to ensure the best quality of the services, CRI Group™ is always seeking the highest level accreditations, certifications, and maintains relationships with leading global organisations in the fields of due diligence, fraud investigation such as PBSA, DQG, Fraud Advisory Panel, BS 102000:2018; BS7858:2019; ACFE; CIFAS and more
8. We are discreet
Let’s face it; there are some problems you just don’t want announced to the world. Fraud, internal investigations, due diligence or liability issues – our team of experts provide the highest level of protection for companies worldwide. CRI Group™’s experts are trained to maintain the highest levels of client confidentiality. We keep your private business private.
9. Our updates keep you in the know
As industry experts, we offer a publication called Fraud 360, which is produced quarterly, with monthly email updates offering awareness, knowledge, latest trends and helpful advice for companies on fraud. If you would like to be on our mailing list, please subscribe here.
10. CRI Group™ is truly international
We are based in London, but we maintain offices in UAE, Turkey, Estonia, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States. Our multi-lingual teams have conducted assignments on thousands of subjects in over 80 countries, and we’re committed to maintaining and constantly evolving our global network. For more information, please visit www.crigroup.com.
Matters surrounding risk management and compliance can be daunting, so why not contact CRI™? Our experts have years of experience and have been trained to provide your business with bespoke advice that fits your organisations’ needs. Don’t hesitate. Implement preventative measures in your workplace today and guide your team to an ethical and correct way of working.
Who is CRI Group™?
Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background-screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.
In 2016, CRI Group™ launched Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body that provides education and certification services for individuals and organisations on a wide range of disciplines and ISO standards, including ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management- Guidelines; ISO 37000:2021 Governance of Organisations; ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management System; ISO 37301:2021 (formerly ISO 19600) Compliance Management system (CMS); Anti-Money Laundering (AML); and ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems ABMS. ABAC™ offers a complete suite of solutions designed to help organisations mitigate the internal and external risks associated with operating in multi-jurisdiction and multi-cultural environments while assisting in developing frameworks for strategic compliance programs. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certification and training.
OUR MISSION AND VISION
- CRI™ mission is to safeguard the corporate world by detecting and exposing those elements that can cause irreparable harm to a business.
- Stand up against the outside forces that, through corruption, collusion, coercion and fraud, can cause financial, organisational, reputational and legal harm to our global clients.
- Stand out as the preeminent provider of specialised investigative services that enable our clients to exhibit the highest standards of business integrity, ethics and behaviour.
Check out our Why Partner With CRI Group™ InfoPack
2022 Investigations & White-Collar Crime POWER PLAYERS Issue Is Out Now!
2022 Investigations & White-Collar Crime
- 2022 Investigations & White-Collar Crime Power Players issue is out. Corporate Research and Investigations Limited were featured in this year Financier Worldwide’s Power Players issue.
- In this edition, CRI® Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Zafar Anjum, talks about his career’s achievements, what the organisation strives to demonstrate to clients and how he sees the investigations a white-collar crime market shaping up over the coming months and all the exciting trends or developments on the horizon.
- Having dedicated his career to background investigation, fraud prevention, protective integrity, security and compliance, Zafar Anjum is a distinguished and highly respected professional in his field.
As CEO of CRI Group™, Zafar uses his extensive knowledge and expertise to create stable and secure networks across challenging global markets. For organisations needing comprehensive project management, security, safeguard testing, background investigations, and real-time compliance applications, Anjum is the assurance expert of choice for industry professionals. Such expertise is increasingly important as a result of COVID-19 – with a long list of countries worldwide still facing significant economic disruption, insecurity and suffering, which has created an increased risk of bribery and corruption. News in the past years showed that many governments began to implement measures to combat these implications from the global pandemic:
Kenyan Anti-bribery and Anti-Corruption laws
“In 2020, it was reported [by Global Compliance News] that the Kenyan Government is in the process of implementing harsher corruption and bribery laws in an attempt to curb the current statistics within the country. The Kenyan Government is concerned with preventing bribery and corruption, perhaps to ensure the appropriate allocation of resources in these unprecedented times. A proposed amendment to the Bribery Act, which is currently being tabled in Parliament, seeks to allow for the imposition of a fine amounting to KSh 5 million (circa USD 46,939) or for a period of imprisonment not exceeding ten years, where an individual is aware of, or suspects bribery taking place and fails to report it.”
US Abuse of Power Prevention Act
In 2020, the House Judiciary Committee held a mark-up of a new bill, the Abuse of the Pardon Prevention Act, as US congress aims to eliminate the tolerance of alleged corruption and bribery undertaken by the current or former presidents. “Section Three of the bill amends the federal bribery statute to make clear that a (former) president can be prosecuted for accepting a bribe in exchange for a pardon… The House also introduced a related bill; the No President is Above the Law Act.”
French Compliance Legislation
The French government has also been working on implementing anti-bribery and anti-corruption legislation in 2020 for the first time since 2016 adapted and improved their white-collar crime standards. As stated in a Global Investigations Review by Lexology, “in anti-bribery compliance, in particular, the recently created French Anticorruption Agency (AFA) keeps building on Sapin II by providing guidance on specific topics, auditing compliance programmes and for the first time… bringing cases in front of its sanctions board.”
Against this backdrop, Financier Worldwide turns to come of the leading lights in their field (including our CEO), who share their stories. A pre-release version of “POWER PLAYERS Investigations & White-Collar Crime 2022 – Exceptional Experts” is now available to view. Please click here to access the file.
The Security Of Your Company Depends On Effective Risk Management
Background investigations are critical to any company’s success because working with qualified, honest and hard-working employees and other businesses is integral to thriving in the business community. What you don’t know can hurt you, and the simple act of one bad decision can result in an unprecedented loss for your company.
From vendor and third-party screening to employment screening, CRI Group™ recommends background investigations as critical proactive measures to help keep your business safe. An effective background screening investigation will help screen for bad apples that can cause havoc down the road. Because we maintain a diverse talent base comprised of multilingual and multi-cultural professionals, CRI™ can traverse obstacles that often impede international background investigations. That’s why we are frequently contracted by our competitors to conduct background investigations in geographic regions not serviced or accessible by larger investigative firms. Contact CRI Group™ to learn more about its 3PRM-Certified™ third-party risk management strategy program and discover an effective and proactive approach to mitigating the risks associated with corruption, bribery, financial crimes and other dangerous risks posed by third-party partnerships.
Who is CRI Group™?
Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background-screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.
In 2016, CRI Group™ launched Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body that provides education and certification services for individuals and organisations on a wide range of disciplines and ISO standards, including ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management- Guidelines; ISO 37000:2021 Governance of Organisations; ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management System; ISO 37301:2021 (formerly ISO 19600) Compliance Management system (CMS); Anti-Money Laundering (AML); and ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems ABMS. ABAC™ offers a complete suite of solutions designed to help organisations mitigate the internal and external risks associated with operating in multi-jurisdiction and multi-cultural environments while assisting in developing frameworks for strategic compliance programs. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certification and training.
ABAC™ is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS CB number: 10613) against ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of the scheme’s management systems of ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS). This makes ABAC™ Certification the leading accredited certification body specialising in global anti-bribery and anti-corruption, risk and compliance management system standards. ABAC™ experts audit any existing compliance and anti-bribery anti-corruption management systems to assess effectiveness and vulnerabilities while ensuring your organisation complies with Internal Standards, FCPA, UK Bribery Act, Anti-Money Laundering regulations, and all other global, regional and local regulations while maintaining a competitive edge in the world marketplace.
If you are seeking to validate or expand your existing compliance frameworks to maintain a competitive edge in the world marketplace, ABAC™ can help you. Our experts audit your existing compliance and anti-bribery anti-corruption management systems to assess effectiveness and vulnerabilities while ensuring your organisation complies with Internal Standards, FCPA rules, UK Bribery Act laws, Anti-Money Laundering regulations, and all other global, regional and local regulations.
Let’s talk
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New Legislation to Tackle Global Economic Crime
The Government Has Brought Forward New Legislation (Economic Crime – Transparency and Enforcement- Bill) To Tackle Economic Crime And Improve Corporate Transparency
The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill has been introduced in Parliament this week for its first reading. Following the commitments announced by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, last week (21 February 2022), the government has brought forward the new legislation to tackle economic crime following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Legislation to crack down on dirty money in the UK and corrupt elites was introduced in Parliament on 1 March 2022, and the new Policy paper is out already. The new legislation will help the National Crime Agency prevent foreign owners from laundering their money in UK property and ensure more corrupt oligarchs can be handed an Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO).
As part of this, a Register of Overseas Entities will be developed to crack down on foreign criminals using UK property to launder their money. The Register of Overseas Entities will be at the heart of a new global standard for transparency and significantly contribute to improved ownership transparency. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “There is no place for dirty money in the UK. We are going faster and harder to tear back the facade that those supporting Putin’s campaign of destruction have been hiding behind for so long. Those backing Putin have been put on notice: there will be nowhere to hide your ill-gotten gains.” The new register will require anonymous foreign owners of UK property to reveal their real identities to ensure criminals cannot hide behind secretive chains of shell companies, setting a new global standard for transparency. Entities who do not declare their ‘beneficial owner’ will face restrictions overselling their property. Those who break the rules could face up to 5 years in prison.
What does this mean for Companies?
Under the reforms being brought in on UWOs, those who hold property in the UK in a trust will be brought within the scope. The definition of an asset’s ‘holder’ will also be expanded to ensure individuals can’t hide behind opaque shell companies and foundations. The reforms will also remove critical barriers to the use of UWOs by increasing the time available to law enforcement to review material provided in response to a UWO and reforming cost rules to protect law enforcement agencies from incurring substantial legal costs if they bring a reasonable case that is ultimately unsuccessful.
The Treasury will also intensify sanctions enforcement by introducing a more wide-ranging ‘strict civil liability test’ for monetary penalties, rather than the current one, which requires firms to have knowledge or a ‘reasonable cause to suspect’ sanctions are being breached. This will make it easier for the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) to impose significant fines. A further change will mean OFSI will publicly name organizations that have breached financial sanctions but have not received a fine.
These new measures are being introduced as one part of our response to tackling the scourge of economic crime in the UK and will safeguard our reputation as a clean and safe place for legitimate investment. In addition, the government is today (4 March 2022) publishing a detailed White Paper setting out its plans to upgrade Companies House, which will mean:
- Anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a company in the UK will need to verify their identity with Companies House;
- Companies House will be given the power to challenge the information that appears dubious and will be empowered to inform security agencies of potential wrongdoing;
- Company agents from overseas will no longer be able to create companies in the UK on behalf of foreign criminals or secretive oligarchs;
- The quality of the information provided by companies to Companies House will be improved so that the thousands of small companies who rely on it to make business decisions can trust who they are doing business with;
- Filing processes for small businesses will be streamlined and digitalised; and
- Company directors will be better able to protect personal information published by Companies House, which might put them at risk of fraud or other harm.
Reform of Companies House will form part of further legislation which will be introduced in the coming months via an additional Economic Crime Bill to clamp down on illicit finance and improve corporate transparency, which will also include:
- New powers to seize crypto assets and bring them within the scope of civil forfeiture powers to tackle the growing threat from ransomware and the use of crypto assets for money laundering;
- Strengthened AML powers to give businesses more confidence to share information on suspected money laundering and other economic crime; and
- Reforms to bear down on the use of limited partnerships as vehicles for facilitating international money laundering (including illicit Russian finance) and illegal arms movements.
How to comply with the new Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill?
As a global business entity with a range of subsidiary partner operations that cross several distinct business sectors (including but not limited to telecommunication, financial services, petrochemicals, energy production/ distribution, chemicals, fertilizers and food), your organization needs to recognize that it is targeted by hostile entities seeking to take advantage of your market presence. The government has taken unprecedented action in the face of barbaric Russian aggression and we are all in this together. This new legislation is a reminder of how important it is to protect your business and the world.
Money that is unknowingly, unwittingly or (in the case of fraud and corruption) even consciously ‘laundered’ through the organization could ultimately support, finance and promote international terrorism and the drugs trade. One of the key challenges is corporate finance’s control and movement and ensuring that effective AML Framework procedures and practices are in place. Refusal to accept the risks and your organization is openly exposed to:
- corporate fraud
- corruption
- exploitation from the theft of money and other assets
Our CRI™ AML advisory services can help you analyze systems and develop effective solutions that not only make sure you comply with the new legislation but also reduce your company’s risk of falling prey to employee, supplier or outside corporate and financial crimes. Our vast Anti-Corruption and Compliance network provides the protection you need when making critical bottom-line decisions crucial to your organization’s success. An effective AML framework is a testament to your organization’s position against crime. As global corporate citizens aware of their responsibilities, any international organization must comprehensively address these concerns and implement policies, procedures, and associated risk assessment mechanisms.
Leave it for experts. Ensure you have the 360-degrees analysis of your challenges – get in touch with the experienced CRI Group’s AML team for a bespoke quote.
Engage Due Diligence Services to Protect Your Business!
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “The new register will shine a light on who owns what in the UK so we can flush out the oligarchs, criminals and kleptocrats who think they can use UK property to hide their illicitly obtained wealth.” At CRI Group™, we specialize in Integrity Due Diligence, working as trusted partners to businesses and institutions worldwide. Our global integrity DueDiligence360TM investigations provide your business with the critical information you need to reduce risks – including risks arising from the FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) and the UKBA (UK Bribery Act) and comply with the new legislation. Unlike other kinds of control (audits, market analysis, etc.), it must be completely independent and rely as little as possible upon information provided by the researched subject.
The other significant difference lies in the methodology: commercial or financial due diligence analyses available information, investigative type provides reliable and pertinent, but raw, information. Our people work with energy, insight and care to ensure we provide a positive experience to everyone involved – clients, reference providers and candidates. CRI Group’s unique identity and vision evolved from our fundamental desire to support our clients and candidates. Safeguard your business and its integrity with DueDiligence360™.
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Our DueDiligence360™ expose vulnerabilities and threats that can cause serious damage to your organization and can significantly reduce business. CRI™ is trusted by the world’s largest corporations and consultancies – outsource your due diligence to an experienced provider. You will only ever have to look forward, never back. CRI™ investigators employ a proven, multi-faceted research approach that involves a global array of databases, courts and public record searches, local contacts, industry and media resources, and in-depth web-based research. Our resources include:
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More Details on the New Policy Paper Corporate Transparency and Register Reform
This white paper sets out the government’s position on reforming Companies House ahead of introducing legislation into Parliament. It concludes the results of further consultation and policy development since September 2020. It contains responses to the following talks:
- Corporate transparency and register reform: powers of the registrar
- Corporate transparency and register reform: implementing the ban on corporate directors
- Corporate transparency and register reform: improving the quality and value of financial information on the UK companies register
The white paper is accompanied by 2 impact assessments:
- Corporate Transparency and Companies House Register Reform Impact Assessment
- Exceptions to prohibition of corporate directors set out in the SBEE Act (2015)
About CRI Group™
For short, Corporate Research and Investigations Limited, or CRI Group™, has been safeguarding businesses from fraud, bribery, and corruption since 1990. Globally, we are a leading Compliance and Risk Management company licensed and incorporated entity of the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) and Qatar Financial Center (QFC). CRI™ protects businesses by establishing the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers and customers seeking to affiliate with your business. Based in London, United Kingdom, CRI™ is a global company with experts and resources located in key regional marketplaces across the Asia Pacific, South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, North and South America. Our global team can support your organisation anywhere in the world.
CRI Group™ invites you to schedule a quick appointment with us to discuss in more detail how our risk management solutions can help you and your organisation.
The Global Business Climate is Changing. So Are Your Third-Party Partners
The current business climate requires a review and reassessment of your organization’s third-party relationships. The global pandemic is rattling economies worldwide, disrupting supply chains, interrupting production, wreaking havoc on industry sectors and shuttering businesses.
It’s highly probable that, at some point, organizations that affiliate with outside providers will eventually have to deal with any number of operational interruptions resulting from a third-party related issue. And while the risks involved in partnering with outsiders haven’t changed over time, the potential level of liability has been ratcheted up several notches.
International Borders have been ripped down. Technology has improved the way businesses communicate. Easy access to data and information enables the media to report on business news before a business can adequately respond. Consequently, the markets quickly react based on this 24/7 on-demand news cycle.
The result of this increased liability can be highly problematic:
- Business litigation has skyrocketed.
- Due to the fallout from the current global pandemic, corporate reputations are negatively impacted.
- Risk management frameworks are continually evolving to acclimate to changing business environments.
- Board members are becoming increasingly subjected to intense scrutiny from outside critics.
THE CHALLENGE: A highly educated market responds immediately with their pocketbooks
- Organizations suffer financial loss as the supply chain falters and loses customers because of poor-quality service from a third party.
- Company data systems are exposed and breached because of poor security practices by third parties.
- Companies are experiencing supply chain issues due to poor disaster recovery procedures by third parties.
- Organizations are increasingly being exposed to litigation because of relationships with an outside provider that significantly violated contractual terms, potentially resulting in regulatory exposure.
THE OUTCOMES: Identifying Red Flags
- Inadequate Compliance Framework
- Human Rights Violations
- Environmental Negative Impact
- Inadequate Governance Policies
- Undisclosed third-party transactions
- Material misrepresentations or omissions
- Unreported financial liabilities
- Criminal or regulatory sanctions
- Prior bribe or corruption allegations
- Undisclosed legal or bankruptcy proceedings
- Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)
THE SOLUTION: Qualify Your Partners. Protect Your Organization
Corporate Research and Investigations Limited (CRI Group™) is pleased to announce the rollout of its 3PRM-Certified™ a third-party certification program, specifically designed for organizations across the Middle East, Europe and Asian regions. CRI Group’s 3PRM-Certified™ Risk Management Program Presents an Effective Strategy to Vet Outside Partnerships.
This highly specialized Third-Party Risk Management assessment and certification program was developed to help organizations accurately determine the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers, and customers who seek to affiliate with and represent your business.
CRI Group’s 3PRM-Certified™ third-party risk management strategy can safeguard your organization against:
- Business Interruption;
- Brand Damage;
- Corporate Liability; and
- Director Liability.
The 3PRM-Certified™ program consists of gap analysis investigative due diligence on targeted third-party partners, suppliers and agents seeking to affiliate with your organization. This comprehensive program can reveal any Anti-Corruption, Compliance and Risk Management deficiencies associated with the international regulatory framework. The International Standards Organization ISO achieves another milestone to launch ISO 37000:2021 Governance of organizations, ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management systems in-line with ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems to demonstrate effective corporate compliance and Environmental, Social, and Governance.
CRI Group™ employs a network of locally qualified, subject-specific auditors, investigators, certified fraud examiners and industry-specific professionals across the Middle East, European and Asian regions who can provide expert counsel in offering 3PRM-Certified™ strategies as an effective preemptive measure.
3PRM™ Gap Analysis can also be combined with a accredited certification by CRI Group’s independent certification body “ABAC™ Center of Excellence Limited” for the scope of:
- ISO 37000:2021 Governance of organizations;
- ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management Systems;
- ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems; and
- ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System certification to demonstrate effective corporate compliance and Environmental, Social, and Governance.
Has your organization adequately vetted its third-party relationships lately? Contact CRI Group™ to learn more about our 3PRM-Certified™ third-party risk management strategy program and discover a practical and proactive approach to mitigating the risks associated with corruption, bribery, financial crimes and other dangerous threats posed by third-party partnerships. We invite you to schedule a quick appointment with us to discuss you third-party risk management strategy needs.
Let’s Talk!
Don’t leave TPRM to chance. Take a proactive stance with the highest level of TPRM as a part of your essential corporate strategy. Contact us today to learn more about our full range of services to help your organization stay protected.
Who is CRI Group™?
Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background-screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.
In 2016, CRI Group™ launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body that provides education and certification services for individuals and organisations on a wide range of disciplines and ISO standards, including ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management- Guidelines; ISO 37000:2021 Governance of Organisations; ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management System; ISO 37301:2021 (formerly ISO 19600) Compliance Management system (CMS); Anti-Money Laundering (AML); and ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems ABMS. ABAC™ offers a complete suite of solutions designed to help organisations mitigate the internal and external risks associated with operating in multi-jurisdiction and multi-cultural environments while assisting in developing frameworks for strategic compliance programs. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certification and training.
Meet the CEO
Zafar I. Anjum is Group Chief Executive Officer of CRI Group™ (www.crigroup.com), a global supplier of investigative, forensic accounting, business due to diligence and employee background screening services for some of the world’s leading business organizations. Headquartered in London (with a significant presence throughout the region) and licensed by the Dubai International Financial Centre-DIFC, the Qatar Financial Center – QFC, and the Abu Dhabi Global Market-ADGM, CRI Group™ safeguard businesses by establishing the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers and customers seeking to affiliate with your business. Based in London, CRI Group™ maintains offices in UAE, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil, China, Turkey and the USA.
Contact CRI Group™ to learn more about its 3PRM-Certified™ third-party risk management strategy program and discover an effective and proactive approach to mitigating the risks associated with corruption, bribery, financial crimes and other dangerous risks posed by third-party partnerships.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Zafar Anjum, MSc, MS, CFE, CII, MICA, Int. Dip. (Fin. Crime) | CRI® Group Chief Executive Officer
37th Floor, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AA United Kingdom
t: +44 207 8681415 | m: +44 7588 454959 | e: zanjum@crigroup.com
2021 CPI Overview is Out Now!
The newly published Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI 2021) is out. This year’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals that corruption levels are at a worldwide standstill. The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories around the world by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. The results are given on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). This year, the global average remains unchanged for the tenth year in a row, at just 43 out of a possible 100 points. Despite multiple commitments, 131 countries have made no significant progress against corruption in the last decade. Two-thirds of countries score below 50, indicating that they have serious corruption problems, while 27 countries are at their lowest score ever. That proves the need to implement more stringent anti-bribery anti-corruption measures worldwide. In this article, we discuss solutions to tackle bribery in these regions.
What’s Happening Around the World?
At the top of the CPI, countries in Western Europe and the European Union continue to wrestle with transparency and accountability in their response to COVID-19, threatening the region’s clean image. In parts of Asia Pacific, the Americas, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, increasing restrictions on accountability measures and basic civil freedoms allow corruption to go unchecked. Even historically high-performing countries are showing signs of decline.
In the Middle East and North Africa, the interests of a powerful few continue to dominate the political and private sphere, and the limitations placed on civil and political freedoms are blocking any significant progress. In Sub-Saharan Africa, armed conflict, violent transitions of power and increasing terrorist threats combined with poor enforcement of anti-corruption commitments rob citizens of their basic rights and services. Download the 2021 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index and compare with last years (2020) corruption wins, scandals and predictions for each region (Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Pakistan).
Trouble at the Top, COVID-19 and Human Rights
The current business climate requires a review and reassessment of your organization’s third-party relationships. The global pandemic is rattling economies worldwide, disrupting supply chains, interrupting production, wreaking havoc on industry sectors and shuttering businesses.
It’s highly probable that, at some point, organizations that affiliate with outside providers will eventually have to deal with any number of operational interruptions resulting from a third-party related issue. And while the risks involved in partnering with outsiders haven’t changed over time, the potential level of liability has been ratcheted up several notches.
International Borders have been ripped down. Technology has improved the way businesses communicate. Easy access to data and information enables the media to report on business news before a business can adequately respond. Consequently, the markets quickly react based on this 24/7 on-demand news cycle.
The result of this increased liability can be highly problematic:
- Business litigation has skyrocketed.
- Due to the fallout from the current global pandemic, corporate reputations are negatively impacted.
- Risk management frameworks are continually evolving to acclimate to changing business environments.
- Board members are becoming increasingly subjected to intense scrutiny from outside critics.
THE CHALLENGE: A highly educated market responds immediately with their pocketbooks
- Organizations suffer financial loss as the supply chain falters and loses customers because of poor-quality service from a third party.
- Company data systems are exposed and breached because of poor security practices by third parties.
- Companies are experiencing supply chain issues due to poor disaster recovery procedures by third parties.
- Organizations are increasingly being exposed to litigation because of relationships with an outside provider that significantly violated contractual terms, potentially resulting in regulatory exposure.
THE OUTCOMES: Identifying Red Flags
- Inadequate Compliance Framework
- Human Rights Violations
- Environmental Negative Impact
- Inadequate Governance Policies
- Undisclosed third-party transactions
- Material misrepresentations or omissions
- Unreported financial liabilities
- Criminal or regulatory sanctions
- Prior bribe or corruption allegations
- Undisclosed legal or bankruptcy proceedings
- Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)
THE SOLUTION: Qualify Your Partners. Protect Your Organisation
Corporate Research and Investigations Limited (CRI Group™) is pleased to announce the rollout of its 3PRM-Certified™ a third-party certification program, specifically designed for organisations across the Middle East, Europe and Asian regions. CRI Group’s 3PRM-Certified™ Risk Management Program Presents an Effective Strategy to Vet Outside Partnerships.
This highly specialised Third-Party Risk Management assessment and certification program was developed to help organisations accurately determine the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers, and customers who seek to affiliate with and represent your business.
CRI Group’s 3PRM-Certified™ third-party risk management strategy can safeguard your organisation against:
- Business Interruption;
- Brand Damage;
- Corporate Liability; and
- Director Liability.
The 3PRM-Certified™ program consists of gap analysis investigative due diligence on targeted third-party partners, suppliers and agents seeking to affiliate with your organisation. This comprehensive program can reveal any Anti-Corruption, Compliance and Risk Management deficiencies associated with the international regulatory framework. The International Standards Organisation ISO achieves another milestone to launch ISO 37000:2021 Governance of organisations, ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management systems in-line with ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems to demonstrate effective corporate compliance and Environmental, Social, and Governance.
CRI® Group employs a network of locally qualified, subject-specific auditors, investigators, certified fraud examiners and industry-specific professionals across the Middle East, European and Asian regions who can provide expert counsel in offering 3PRM-Certified™ strategies as an effective preemptive measure.
3PRM™ Gap Analysis can also be combined with a accredited certification by CRI® Group’s independent certification body “ABAC™ Center of Excellence Limited” for the scope of:
- ISO 37000:2021 Governance of organisations;
- ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management Systems;
- ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems; and
- ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System certification to demonstrate effective corporate compliance and Environmental, Social, and Governance.
Has your organisation adequately vetted its third-party relationships lately? Contact CRI® Group to learn more about our 3PRM-Certified™ third-party risk management strategy program and discover a practical and proactive approach to mitigating the risks associated with corruption, bribery, financial crimes and other dangerous threats posed by third-party partnerships. We invite you to schedule a quick appointment with us to discuss you third-party risk management strategy needs.
Let’s Talk!
Don’t leave TPRM to chance. Take a proactive stance with the highest level of TPRM as a part of your essential corporate strategy. Contact us today to learn more about our full range of services to help your organisation stay protected.
Who is CRI Group™?
Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background-screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.
In 2016, CRI Group™ launched Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body that provides education and certification services for individuals and organisations on a wide range of disciplines and ISO standards, including ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management- Guidelines; ISO 37000:2021 Governance of Organisations; ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management System; ISO 37301:2021 (formerly ISO 19600) Compliance Management system (CMS); Anti-Money Laundering (AML); and ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems ABMS. ABAC™ offers a complete suite of solutions designed to help organisations mitigate the internal and external risks associated with operating in multi-jurisdiction and multi-cultural environments while assisting in developing frameworks for strategic compliance programs. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certification and training.
How to Protect Your IP with Brand Protection Investigations?
Intellectual Property (IP) is an exclusive right of the brand owner. This property includes intangible creations of the brand owners’ human intellect; therefore, the brand owners are lawful copyright or trademark owners. However, when unscrupulous individuals indulge in manufacturing and distributing counterfeit products of well-known brands, the result is the loss of sales, a tarnished brand image and erosion of brand loyalty, not to mention the ill effects of consumption by the consumer and the loss of revenue to the government. This is when Brand protection services are crucial to business integrity.
Counterfeiting threatens the fabric of national economies, endangers safety and frequently kills. It devalues corporate reputations, hinders investment, funds terrorism, and costs hundreds of thousands of people their livelihood annually. Companies and organizations face IP-related risks from a multitude of sources, namely:
- From within the organization itself;
- From entities in the ecosystem of the organization;
- From competitors;
- From independent 3rd parties; and/or
- From illegal entities.
It is important to consider the risks to your intellectual property and take the steps necessary to protect your brand. Because of the potential complexity of IP investigations you should consider consulting experts. Investigators who are specially trained to protect the brand equity and customer loyalty you’ve built by providing professional assistance in the areas of:
- Trade Secret Breaches
- Data Breaches & IP Leaks
- Theft of Proprietary Customer Data
- Copyright Abuse
- Unauthorized Use of Trademarks
- Counterfeit & Pirated Products
- Threats to Brand Integrity & Reputation
- Brand Imitation & Product Copying
- Global Counterfeiting Investigations
Getting help
Brand protection services can:
- Research and investigate the legal aspects of copyright, trademark and patent claims
- Identify the company and/or individuals that have breached your IP rights
- Perform background and financial investigations on subjects involved in IP infringement
- Pinpoint the source and location of the manufacturer in counterfeit product claims
- Establish new delivery channels for the trade of your products
As an integral member of the ICC Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau, CRI Group™ is certified to advise and assist organizations with intellectual property investigations involving grey market and product counterfeiting crimes.
CRI Group™ utilizes various techniques, analytics, and global technology to investigate intellectual property infringements, including the use of international Counterfeiting Seizure Maps and International Anti-Counterfeiting Directories. Our strategic partnerships with IP firms worldwide ensure that leads are identified and investigated and claims are settled expeditiously.
CRI Group™ Intellectual Property (IP) Investigations:
- Trademark Investigations
- Intellectual Property Acquisition Services
- Patent Investigations
- Brand, Media and Internet Monitoring Services
- Anti-Counterfeiting Programs
- Brand Integrity Programs
- Copyright Abuse Investigations
- Cyber Surveillance
- Litigation Support
CRI™ is an ideal partner to be the eyes and ears of brands across markets, offline and online. Our multidisciplinary experts regularly review and scan the online marketplaces to keep a close eye on fake products. From online surveillance to supply chain audits and real-time market surveys, brands will find CRI™ the ideal long-term partner to keep a close eye on all markets. You, meanwhile, can focus on running the business and building your brand.
CRI Group™ invites you to schedule a quick appointment with us to discuss in more detail how our Brand Protection Solutions can help you and your organization.
About CRI Group™
For short, Corporate Research and Investigations Limited, or CRI Group™, has protected businesses from fraud, bribery, and corruption since 1990. Globally, we are a leading Compliance and Risk Management company licensed and incorporated entity of the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) and Qatar Financial Center (QFC). CRI™ protects businesses by establishing the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers and customers seeking to affiliate with your business. Based in London, United Kingdom, CRI™ is a global company with experts and resources in key regional marketplaces across the Asia Pacific, South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and North and South America. Our global team can support your organization anywhere in the world.
Personal Due Diligence, Tips You Need to Know
In the business world, due diligence refers to the investigation and steps were taken by organisations to satisfy all legal requirements before buying or selling products/ services or entering into a contract or a financial arrangement with another party. An Integrity Due Diligence allows an organisation to reduce risks arising from the FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) and the UKBA (U.K. Bribery Act), to make informed decisions and pursue takeovers or mergers with more confidence.
Due diligence is vital to prevent many types of fraud, and while professional services can be used in some cases, it is also up to the consumer to do their due diligence. Due diligence is vital to prevent many types of fraud. While in some cases, it is also up to the consumer to do their own personal due diligence. Due diligence sounds complicated, but it is merely the process of doing your homework before you make a significant commitment.
Personal Due Diligence In Everyday Transactions
Most of us practice personal due diligence even though we may not think of it that way (i.e. research on the internet before making a purchase or deciding what restaurant to go to). We are doing our “due diligence” to get the best deal in this process. The level of proper due diligence should be proportionate to the level of commitment involved and your specific status. So when buying a house, the due diligence ought to be more extensive (i.e. a family with children may want to check out the rating of the schools in the area). Another personal area to conduct due diligence involves a new job offer (i.e., the organisation known to treat its employees well). These areas involve a significant amount of due diligence on your part before accepting a new position at a new company.
Due Diligence Makes Trust Possible
The Government is under increased pressure to give clear guidance on post-Brexit Right to Work and Right to Rent checks. In the U.K., the lack of clarity from the Government has already caused problems. Many landlords are averse to letting their properties to non-UK nationals if they breach the Right to Rent rules post-Brexit. Whether renting a property, having home renovations done, buying insurance, getting a mortgage, or even entering a new romantic relationship, you can use due diligence to protect yourself. Due diligence can prevent potential fraud and some other types of scams.
The following are tips on how to avoid fraud:
- Know who you are dealing with, ask questions and verify the information;
- Check with the governing body for licensing and insurance requirements;
- Scammers pressure you to act immediately. Don’t sign anything you don’t understand;
- Don’t sign anything for large amounts of money without having it reviewed by your lawyer;
- Scammers say there’s a problem or a prize. Do not give out your personal information without verifying who is getting it;
- Be cautious if you are asked to make up-front payments;
- Get company information, including name and address and ensure that a written contract backs all verbal promises;
- Have a contract in place for things like construction work;
- Never give an unsolicited caller access to your computer;
- Do not give out a credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the number you are calling came from a trusted source;
- Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way. Never wire money unless you’re confident that you’re sending it to someone you know;
- Be suspicious of any calls from supposedly distressed relatives who don’t give their names. After hanging up, try calling the family member with the phone numbers you have to see if they need help;
- Scammers pretend to be from an organisation you know. Be suspicious of any calls from a supposed government agency or other businesses demanding payments; and
- Landlords should check references (in some cases, a police criminal record check), credit reports, and employment information of potential tenants.
Online Fraud is on the rise
In a time of crisis, we often see the best in people. Even before COVID-19 was officially classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a global pandemic, citizens and government leaders alike praised the selfless sacrifice of doctors, nurses, first responders and others putting themselves in harm’s way to help treat and limit the spread of the disease. Unfortunately, a crisis can also bring out the worst in some people; fraudsters prey on fear and confusion.
The research shows that online fraud is on the increase too. Online retailer sectors saw rising transaction volumes in March 2020 compared to the previous year, with 97% in Home products and furnishings, 136% in DIY products, 163% in garden essentials, and 26.6% in electronics. Fraudsters are using the surge in online activity to target unsuspecting consumers.
Online Due Diligence Tips:
- Change online passwords regularly and make them secure (don’t use standard information about yourself);
- Don’t post personal info such as date of birth or mailing address on social media sites;
- Have the most current firewall and anti-virus software on your computer;
- Don’t send financial or any other type of personal information by email or text;
- When purchasing online, make sure the site is secure. It should begin with HTTPS;
- Don’t open links that appear in an email asking you to start a financial transaction. Go directly to the organisation’s website;
- Don’t download software programs or apps from an unsecured source; and
- Don’t use unsecured wifi (such as in a coffee shop) if your device has personal information on it.
- Change online passwords regularly and make them secure (don’t use standard information about yourself);
- Don’t post personal info such as date of birth, mailing address, or SIN on social media sites;
- Have the most current anti-virus software and firewall on your computer;
- Don’t send financial information by email or text;
- When purchasing online, make sure the site is secure. It should begin with HTTPS;
- Don’t open links that appear in an email asking you to start a financial transaction. Go directly to the organisation’s website;
- Don’t download apps or software programs from an unsecured source; and
- Don’t use unsecured WIFI (such as in a coffee shop) if your device has personal information (such as your phone contacts, apple id, banking records, residence or employment information).
DueDiligence360™
Don’t fall prey to unscrupulous business dealings and outside threats. At CRI Group™, we specialise in Integrity Due Diligence, working as trusted partners to businesses and institutions worldwide. Our people work with energy, insight and care to ensure we provide a positive experience to everyone involved – clients, reference providers and candidates.
Our DueDiligence360™ expose vulnerabilities and threats that can cause serious damage to your organisation and can significantly reduce business. The world’s largest corporations trust CRI Group™ and consultancies – outsource your due diligence to an experienced provider, and you will only ever have to look forward, never back.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DUE DILIGENCE 360
About CRI Group™
Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds B.S. 102000:2013 and B.S. 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SOLUTIONS
Speak Up, Report Illegal, Unethical or Improper Behavior
Ethics and Compliance Hotline is an anonymous reporting mechanism that facilitates reporting of possible illegal, unethical, or improper conduct when the normal communication channels have proven ineffective or are impractical under the circumstances. At CRI Group™, we are committed to having an open dialogue on ethical dilemmas regardless. We want to introduce a new Ethics & Compliance Hotline. This hotline is available to all employees and clients, contractors, vendors, and others in a business relationship with CRI Group™ and our sister brand ABAC Group™.
If you find yourself in an ethical dilemma or suspect inappropriate or illegal conduct, and you feel uncomfortable reporting through normal channels of communication, or wish to raise the issue anonymously, use CRI Group™’s Compliance Hotline in below mentioned ways or provide us with your complaint online on the form below. The Compliance Hotline is a secure and confidential reporting channel managed by an independent provider. When reporting a concern in good faith, you will be protected by CRI Group™’s Non-Retaliation Policy.
What Can You Report?
Feel free to report any known or suspected noncompliant behavior or violations with any regulatory mandates and/or local policies, including but not limited to:
- Ethical standards Violations
- Violation of laws and Company Policy and internal control
- Risk and Safety
- Theft, embezzlement or misappropriate of assets and fraud
- Bribery and corruption
- Employee Rights, Employee Relation, Work Environment
- Privacy laws or security of personal information
- Discrimination
- The dispute related to Supervisor, H.R. and other Departments
- Physical and Verbal Harassment on Workplace
- Issues related to job responsibilities
- The Report related to a suspicious activity being a witness
- Unfair dismissals
Our Compliance Hotline is accessible by both phone and online. If you make a report directly by telephone, you will speak with the Compliance Department directly. If you submit a report online, the system will guide you through the reporting process, and a PIN generated automatically once you complete the Report.
Managing HR through COVID-19 in 4 Simple Steps
Managing HR through COVID-19
Managing HR through COVID-19, here are the four simple steps. COVID-19 continues to affect communities on every continent. This global crisis called for fresh due diligence and risk management review of the company’s third-party partnerships; it has disrupted business and entire industries as we know it; a fraud spike in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has consequently led to an increase in identity theft cases; for many HR professionals, employee screening during COVID-19 has become complicated, with its many new ways COVID-19 impacted background checks enhancing why critical background Screening has become. This pandemic has made managing HR more difficult than ever.
While we must take vigorous action to control the spread of the coronavirus and save lives, we must also act to protect our livelihoods. The steps you need to take now relate to four categories: Review, Communicate, Update and Travel. These checklists provide chief human resources officers (CHROs) and other HR professionals with practical ideas for keeping employees safe while maintaining productivity and charting recovery paths. And then, the following will form a good starting point.
The four simple steps in managing HR through COVID-19
1. REVIEW
- Review business continuity plans and how these would be maintained if employees suffer from coronavirus absences.
- Review existing sickness policies and procedures, are they disseminated to staff? Do they need amending?
- Review contracts of employment. It may be relevant to establish whether individuals can be asked to undertake different work or at other locations or at various times from the norm.
- Review your emergency procedures, e.g., if there is an infection and the workplace is closed temporarily. If appropriate, carry out a test run of emergency communication to see how robust the process is.
- Ensure contact details for all staff are up to date.
- Undertake risk analysis of high-risk groups of employees and what steps can be taken to try and reduce risks for those groups. These groups may include: 1) those who frequently travel to countries where there is currently or may well be a risk of infection. 2) those with health issues, such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, or those who are pregnant, are more likely to suffer adversely if they become infected with the virus.
- Review procedures in the office for preventing the spread of the virus, e.g., increased cleaning, availability of hand sanitisers and tissues etc.
- Review planning for the possibility of large-scale absenteeism. For example:
- Identify the essential positions within the business, what needs to carry on during an emergency, and what is the minimum number of employees required?
- Identifying employees with transferable skills so that these essential positions can always be temporarily filled.
- Considering flexible work patterns, such as employees working from home.
- Identify employees who have the necessary IT infrastructure to work from home (e.g., remote access to the office computer systems).
2. COMMUNICATE
- Identify an appropriate person as spokesperson/ communicator of updates on policies etc., with appropriate credibility.
- What, if anything, is said about absence from work for reasons other than ill-health, e.g., where an office is closed?
- Assuming the employer has a health and safety committee, have there been any discussions with that committee about COVID-19 and its potential impact? If there is no such committee, the employer may want to consider setting one up.
- Communicate as a matter of urgency with the high-risk groups identified in any risk review to ensure they are aware of their high-risk status and the measures taken to assist.
- Ensure managers are aware of the relevant workplace policies.
- Consider issuing guidance to employees on recognising when a person is infected with the coronavirus. What are the symptoms, and what should one do if one is taken ill at home or work? It is also important to emphasise that individuals may not recognise that they have the virus and may not be exhibiting symptoms. Employees should be informed of the reporting procedure within their employer if they have a potential infection and any official reporting process.
- Provide advice to encourage individuals to take responsibility for their health and safety and slow the virus’s spread. For example, advice on handwashing and sanitiser gels, coupled with a willingness to self-identify where individuals may have encountered individuals with the virus, have become infected themselves or have returned from private travel abroad to an area that turns out to be affected by the virus.
- Make clear that where staff are ill, they must not come to work regardless, i.e. “Struggle through”.
3. TRAVEL
- Log employee travel before it is booked and check against the latest travel protocols.
- Ensure staff know that this applies to personal travel and business travel.
- Encourage staff to tell you if close family members with whom they share a house are travelling to infected areas.
- Replace face-to-face meetings (especially those involving travel) with video conferences, telephone conferences, etc.
- Consult/communicate about whether to encourage varied work patterns to avoid travelling on public transport at rush hour.
4. UPDATE
- Initiate a system to keep up-to-date, especially given the spread of infection.
- Consider establishing a committee on the employer’s side to coordinate responses and engage with any staff consultative forum, with particular responsibility for staying up-to-date with public health updates.
- How will employers communicate regular updates on the coronavirus and its spread to employees? As news develops, it is vital for an employer to be issuing fact-based updates to avoid the possibility of fear being used by worried employees to make decisions about whether or not to come to work, whether to travel abroad, etc.
- Who will have the authority to determine changes to policy and issue any new communications to staff?
Employsmart™: Background Checks During COVID-19 and More
As a background screening provider, CRI Group™ can support you by proactively monitoring the data sources and working with them to understand when and how to carry out verification requests. By working with a background screening partner, we can tailor your screening needs to the challenging times we’re facing. EmploySmart™ is CRI Group’s robust pre-employment background screening service that helps companies of any size and industry avoid negligent hiring liabilities. We know you have lots of questions. We compiled a FAQ ebook, read now or download your FREE ebook.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s imperative to ensure a safe work environment for all of your employees. EmploySmart™ can be tailored to meet the requirements of each specific position within your company. As a leading worldwide provider of specialised local and international employment background screening, CRI Group™’s services are second-to-none in providing risk mitigation and peace of mind in the hiring process.
Learn more about how EmploySmart™ can help your company stay protected during these strange and uncertain times. Contact CRI Group™ today.
Want to Know the Most Crucial Factors in the Hiring Process?
Download our “Top 10 things every organisation should know about background checks” infographic. Get answers to frequently asked questions about background checks/screening cost, guidelines, check references etc. This eBook of compiled list of background screening related questions taken is the perfect primer for any HR professional, business leader and company looking to avoid employee background screening risks. It provides the tools and knowledge needed to make the right decisions.
Who is CRI Group™?
Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider.
We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.
In 2016, CRI Group™ launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body that provides education and certification services for individuals and organisations on a wide range of disciplines and ISO standards, including ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management- Guidelines, ISO 37000:2021 Governance of Organisations, ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management System, ISO 37301:2021 (formerly ISO 19600) Compliance Management system, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems.
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