Given the rapid development and growth of digital channels and activities, digital fraud has become problematic for a broad range of businesses, especially for the financial sector. Disrupting money laundering schemes will help in reducing the ability of organized crime groups to grow their businesses and expand into new markets. It will also help bring criminals to justice and will protect the integrity of the financial sector and the global economy as a whole.

Due to the impact and speed at which technology is developing, there is a need for governments to have a dynamic approach which can be modified to align with changing threats.

Following the success of the 3 previous editions of the Anti-Cybercrime Forum, the Special Investigation Commission (SIC) and the Cybercrime and Intellectual Property Bureau at the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces, in cooperation with the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) are organizing the 4th Anti-Cybercrime Forum on November 29th in Beirut. The forum takes place on the margins of the 28th MENAFATF plenary that will be held in Beirut under the presidency of Lebanon on 27 and 28 November.

The forum aims to mitigate the threats from financial crime, money laundering, terrorist financing and cybercrime. It will comprise discussions between a vast number of international and regional experts from the Public and the Private sectors who will present insights and practical approaches to prevent potential cyber threats in the upcoming years. It will also shed light on the latest financial crime trends and the role that can be played by International Organizations in preventing criminal abuse of the financial system.

Moreover, the forum will present the Lebanese roadmap put in place to develop a national cybersecurity strategy and an action plan to face the risks of cybercrimes. This roadmap was set in collaboration with the European Union Commission that shared experiences and best practices from member states and institutions in that regard, and provided support to improve Lebanon’s rating at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

In addition, as Blockchain and crypto-assets are gaining great momentum, businesses who capitalize on these will benefit from an influx of investment as well as a more diversified economic sector with strong growth prospects. The forum will thus focus on the rise of crypto-assetsand their related risks, opportunities and regulatory challenges.

Participants will gain insights from the expertise and practical cases presented by representatives of Financial Intelligence Units, financial serviceinstitutions, Regulators, Law Enforcement Authorities, Policy-makers and technology experts, who will share their visions on the dynamics shaping the financial sector, and suggest ways to secure a sustainable, safe and successful future.