At a special discussion, whose organizator is the Foundation "Risk Monitor", was presented a draft strategy for Combating Money Laundering. The forum was held at the Granite Hall of the Council of  Ministers and was attended by: the Minister of Interior Mr. Tsvetan Tsvetanov, the United States Ambassador to Bulgaria Mr. James Warlick, the Deputy Attorney General Boiko Naidenov, the Chairman of the State Agency for National Security Mr. Konstantin Kazakov, the Administrator of the National Revenue Agency Mr. Krasimir Stefanov, representatives of the Bulgarian National Bank, the General Directorate for "Combating Organized Crime" the Commission for establishing of property acquired from criminal activity, etc. At the event were invited to participate Mr. Rumen Petkov, who spoke on the topic and Mr. Kamen Penkov, in his capacity of Chief  Executive Officer of the IISC.

The main proposals set out in the draft "Strategy for Combating Money Laundering in Bulgaria" are: establishing of an expert group to combat money laundering, an exclusive register of bank accounts and tax returns and greater synchronization between the institutions to combat organized crime and others. Greater control over international monetary transactions is provided in the strategy stipulating that "will be built centralized information records"; public institutions should have electronic access to them with "maximum protection of fundamental rights of citizens".

The Panel will analyze the problems, but also will help for improving communication between the institutions.

As the main problems in combating money laundering strategy will be the control on the movement of money from one account to another between different people, as well as to better synchronize the operation of commercial banks and state authorities in tracing these funds. Risk Monitor offered to provide more funds for the prevention of crimes such as prostitution, trafficking and drug dealing, and dealing with their consequences. A new fund was launched which will be credited with the percentage of the funds deprivated after sentences for money laundering. Authors of the project are the Foundation Risk Monitor, the "Open Society" Institute, the Interior Ministry, State Agency for National Security, The Bulgarian National Bank, the Revenue Agency.

All participants in the discussion agreed that the document came to Bulgaria with a delay compared to other Eastern European countries, but they believe that our country will quickly catch up. According some data exported by "Risk Monitor" for the last 5 years have been issued 72 convictions for money laundering, from which were confiscated 15 million leva. The Law against money laundering was created back in 1999, but only in recent years, banks and supervisory authorities began to monitor its implementation.

The chairman of the GM of the IISC Mr. Petkov proposed to be included the problem with the threat that the assets of falling from power dictators in the Middle East to be washed at home, since these funds will not remain in the States and will be centered somewhere, and our country is too close. He said that the document should focussed more on the cooperation with Europol, because this is no a national crime but  a cross-border crime. Moreover, the strategy must contain a text relating to illicit finance in the sectors "buying votes" and "media". The issue of illegal funding should not be underestimated. His warning was recorded by the new head of the State Agency for National Security Mr.Konstantin Kazakov.

"The National Security Strategy makes it possible to implement further strategies such as the fight against money laundering" said Interior Minister. It became clear that in 2010 in the country were given a total of 21 convictions for money laundering. Most resources were invested in human trafficking and pimping, while at least - from car thefts and trafficking. From enacted convictions under the Law for deprivation of property adquired from criminal activits for the last year, in the Treasury were received 6 798 434 leva.

A significant part of organized crime have been exported abroad during our transition, but the last three years this money is returned to the country as foreign investment. This study was suggested by the Foundation Risk Monitor.

Sofia City Court issued the most acquittals sentences and agreements in cases involved with organized crime and money laundering, according to a study of "Risk Monitor". A research of the Organization showed that 97% of Bulgarian companies have never report about laundering of money, even if they have witnessed. The reason is fear, distrust in institutions or ignorance of the law.