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The International Corruption Unit (ICU) was established in 2015 as part of the UK's efforts to tackle corruption and money laundering on a global scale. The ICU is a specialised unit within the National Crime Agency (NCA), which is the UK's lead law enforcement agency for tackling serious and organised crime. The ICU's primary role is to investigate and prevent corruption offences that have an international dimension and involve UK citizens, businesses, or organisations.
The ICU's investigations focus on two main areas: bribery and anti-money laundering (AML). Bribery is the act of offering or accepting a bribe in exchange for a favour or advantage, while money laundering is the process of disguising the proceeds of crime to make them appear legitimate. Both bribery and money laundering are serious crimes that can have significant impacts on society, such as undermining the rule of law and reducing public trust in institutions.
To carry out its investigations, the ICU works closely with law enforcement agencies in other countries, as well as with other UK government agencies, such as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The ICU also engages with private sector organisations, such as banks and professional services firms, to gather intelligence and evidence. The ICU's investigations often involve complex financial transactions and require expertise in financial analysis, asset tracing, and other specialised skills.
In addition to its investigative work, the ICU also plays a key role in developing and implementing UK policy on corruption and money laundering. The ICU works with other government departments and international organisations to identify trends and threats, develop best practices, and promote greater transparency and accountability in financial transactions. The ICU also works to raise awareness among the public and private sectors about the risks of corruption and money laundering and to encourage greater compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
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