Raising Public Awareness on Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism, and Transnational Organized Crime in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay

In the Tri Border Area (TBA) between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, the lack of an effective communication strategy to raise public awareness about Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), and Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) affects the ability of governments to prevent these crimes.

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative’s (ABA ROLI) program to Raise Public Awareness on AML/CFT/TOC in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay will improve the capacity of criminal justice sectors and financial institutions to promote public awareness about the risks and realities of AML/CFT/TOC in the TBA and show how everyday activities may unwittingly contribute to related criminal acts.

By working closely with the communication departments of the criminal justice sectors, financial institutions, and Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), the program will gather information from the different beneficiaries to provide timely and customized advice. Additionally, the program will develop awareness campaigns on AML/CFT/TOC and assist beneficiaries in implementing them, aiming to raise public awareness to help reduce unwitting involvement in these criminal acts.

Following the launch of the program in 2022, a comprehensive survey was conducted to gain insights into citizens’ perceptions of illicit activities within their communities. This initial step aimed to assess the region within the program’s framework. The survey engaged 902 participants from Foz de Iguaçu (Brazil), Puerto Iguazú (Argentina), and Ciudad del Este, Asunción, and Greater Asunción in Paraguay—including households, business owners, and regular shoppers in Ciudad del Este.

These results provide a valuable overview of the population’s understanding and attitude towards money laundering and financing of terrorism, which allows the program to better understand the current context and plan the implementation of its activities. For example, we created a public awareness campaign, “See the Signs” (see Spanish and Portuguese webpages), on money laundering and financing of terrorism. The campaign aims to illustrate how daily activities can inadvertently contribute to criminal endeavors, with the goal of reducing involuntary participation.

This video is part of our See the Signs campaign to raise awareness about the subtle yet significant ways in which ordinary daily activities can inadvertently contribute to serious crimes such as money laundering, terrorism financing, and organized crime. By presenting relatable scenarios, the campaign illustrates how criminals can exploit common actions (like buying cheap articles without receiving an invoice) to create opportunities for money laundering, opening a window for organized crime, violence, and insecurity. Viewers are encouraged to "See the Signs" by recognizing suspicious activities and avoiding participating in them, fostering a community of awareness and proactive engagement against crime. By shedding light on these issues, the campaign and its video seek to empower individuals to understand their role in preventing crime and promote a safer, more informed society.