Asset Tracing

Asset Tracing

Asset tracing is the process by which investigators "follow the money." Investigators trace assets by conducting financial investigations, during which they determine a subject's assets, examine the revenue generated by criminal activity, and follow its trail.

Asset tracing provides many benefits in white collar cases, including in public corruption cases. First, these investigations help to prove the crime by providing valuable evidence. Such evidence can corroborate informants and undercover officers, identify new witnesses for trial, and corroborate witness testimony. Second, asset tracing helps to generate new leads for the investigation, potentially leading to additional targets and/or charges. Third, tracing results in the identification of assets subject to forfeiture in connection with the crime. Asset forfeiture can have a huge impact in criminal cases, particularly when it is used to seize significant assets from criminal organizations. In effect, asset forfeiture takes the profit out of crime. A financial investigation can also turn up evidence that is useful at sentencing. Finally, financial investigations can help in the process of restitution, returning money and property to victims of crimes.

 
     
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