The evolving threat environment in the Republic of Moldova requires law enforcement and prosecutors to strengthen their ability to effectively gather, analyse, validate and use open-source intelligence (OSINT).
In response to these challenges, the Council of Europe organised a series of capacity-building activities aimed at enhancing the practical investigative skills of participants from law enforcement agencies, the Office for the Prevention and Fight against Money Laundering, and the General Prosecutor’s Office.
The training focused on enhancing the use of OSINT tools and methodologies to support investigations into money laundering, terrorism financing, and related offences. Through hands-on exercises and scenarios, participants explored the OSINT cycle, related legal and ethical frameworks, operational security, and techniques such as metadata analysis, cryptocurrency tracing, geolocation, and social media investigations.
As a result, participants enhanced their capacity to lawfully, ethically, and efficiently collect, analyse, and use open-source data in their investigations. They also developed skills to identify and mitigate risks, apply technical tools effective strategies for gathering evidence and support investigations related to cross-border organised crime, cyber-enabled financial crime, corruption-related money laundering, use of virtual assets, as well as hybrid threats.
The activity was co-organised within the framework of the projects: “Action against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in the Republic of Moldova”, funded by a grant from the U.S. Government, and the “Enhancing the anti-money laundering and asset recovery regime in the Republic of Moldova”, implemented under the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Partnership for Good Governance."
