UNAFRI Participates in 4th Financial Sector Anti Fraud Forum

The forum highlighted the changing nature of financial crime and called for stronger protection, awareness and collaboration as digital financial services expand.

From left to right: ACP Andrew Mubiru, Acting Director of Forensic Services at the Uganda Police Force; Mr. Munanura Andrew Karokora, Acting Director General of UNAFRI; Mr. Michael Mugabi, Chairperson of the Uganda Bankers’ Association (UBA) and CEO of Housing Finance Bank; and a fellow forum participant at the 4th Financial Sector Anti-Fraud Forum in Kampala.

The United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFRI) participated in the 4th Financial Sector Anti-Fraud Forum, held on 23 September 2026 at Kampala Marriott Hotel. The forum was organised by the Anti-Fraud Consortium (AFC) in partnership with Visa.

The event brought together stakeholders concerned with the prevention, detection and response to financial crime. Its discussions examined how criminal activity is evolving as financial services and everyday transactions increasingly move onto digital platforms.

In his keynote address, Andre Wentzel, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), highlighted the growing use of digital platforms by organised criminal networks to target individuals. His remarks drew attention to the need for institutions and the public to understand changing fraud methods and respond to emerging risks.

The keynote also emphasised the vulnerability of children and young people as they enter the digital financial space. Expanding access to financial services must therefore be accompanied by financial literacy, public awareness and safeguards that help younger users recognise and avoid fraud and exploitation.

The forum underscored the importance of closer collaboration among financial institutions, regulators, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders. Effective cooperation can strengthen prevention, improve detection and support coordinated responses to financial crime.

UNAFRI's participation reflects the relevance of financial crime to broader crime prevention and criminal justice efforts. A central message from the forum was that financial inclusion must advance alongside protection so that the benefits of digital finance do not expose individuals and communities to greater harm.