Specialized Training Programme for Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru
Cybercrime is rapidly evolving and increasingly relies on technologies such as the dark web, encrypted communications and virtual assets, creating new challenges for law enforcement and judicial authorities worldwide. In the Andean region, criminal networks are increasingly exploiting digital anonymity to facilitate illegal activities, including drug trafficking, financial fraud, human trafficking and the circulation of illicit goods and services online. These developments have made investigations more complex and require specialized skills, tools and international cooperation.
This project aims to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement and judicial authorities in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to investigate and counter cyber-enabled crime. Implemented by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), thanks to the financial support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the initiative focuses on improving investigative techniques, strengthening technical expertise and enhancing cooperation among national authorities in the region.
The project will develop practical investigative guidelines and deliver specialized training sessions for law enforcement, judicial and financial authorities. These activities will provide participants with practical tools and knowledge to better detect, investigate and prosecute crimes involving the use of the dark web and virtual assets, while strengthening the long-term institutional capacity of national authorities.
The project will also support the development of operational guidance based on international good practices, tailored to the specific needs and legal frameworks of the beneficiary countries. These materials will serve as reference tools for law enforcement, judicial authorities and financial intelligence units, helping to strengthen investigative approaches and promote consistent practices across the region.
A key component of the initiative is the creation of a regional network of national focal points, designed to strengthen communication and cooperation among authorities in the four countries. Through regular consultations and exchanges of information, this network will support coordination in addressing cyber-enabled crime and other forms of transnational organized crime that operate across borders.
The project will further promote international cooperation and knowledge sharing, including a study visit to Italy and virtual exchanges with international experts and institutions. These activities will allow practitioners to learn from international experience, explore effective investigative techniques and strengthen cooperation frameworks for addressing cybercrime.
By strengthening investigative capacities and fostering regional and international cooperation, the project aims to support more effective responses to cyber-enabled crime and contribute to stronger criminal justice systems across the Andean region.