Økokrim: The war in Ukraine increases the risk of corruption for Norwegian companies
The war in Ukraine increases the risk of Norwegian companies potentially being involved in corruption abroad, Økokrim believes, according to the newspaper Dagens Næringsliv.
Økokrim believes that Norwegian companies that operate abroad are now extra exposed to being involved in corruption. The reason for this is resource scarcity all over the world and new trade routes due to the war in Ukraine, DN writes.
“When there is a shortage of resources… the risk of corruption increases,” Økokrim chief Pål Lønseth stated.
Pandemic spread of corruption
He describes the situation in some of the countries in which Norwegian companies operate as “a pandemic spread of corruption.”
According to Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK), Økokrim believes that the biggest challenge associated with the refugee situation as a result of the war in Ukraine is that human traffickers and others can exploit vulnerable refugees for prostitution or forced labor.
Unskilled labor
Among other things, Økokrim believes that criminal actors can try to exploit vulnerable employees.
“Especially in sectors where there is a need for a lot of unskilled labor – building and construction, the cleaning industry, the transport business…” Pål Lønseth noted.
Fishing industry
According to VG, Økokrim also points to crime in the fishing industry as one of the biggest threats – including under- and incorrect reporting of catches.
“Fishing industry crime is generally difficult to detect. There are few objective clues and few automated reporting points. This means that it requires a lot of investigators,” Lønseth stated.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
