Lessons learned from the ACAMS/Thomson Reuters Human Trafficking Initiative at the World Cup - Thomson Reuters Institute

Lessons learned from the ACAMS/Thomson Reuters Human Trafficking Initiative at the World Cup focus on how financial institutions can disrupt trafficking by targeting illicit financial flows. The Thomson Reuters Institute describes a multi-city effort around the FIFA World Cup co-led by Thomson Reuters and ACAMS, bringing together leaders from banks, law enforcement, NGOs, regulators, and corporate risk teams. It cites International Labour Organization research estimating forced labor in the private economy can generate up to $236 billion in illegal profits annually. The article says banks can identify proceeds and patterns, close suspected accounts, file prioritized suspicious activity reports, and notify investigators. It also explains that institutions often lack context and that NGOs can supply victim-centered data. It notes the use of social media, online ads, and messaging apps leaves digital footprints that can support mapping networks, locations, and recruitment patterns.