Report warns lawyers may help hide dirty money

Lawyers, notaries, accountants and auditors in the Western Balkans may be helping criminal groups hide and move illegal money, according to a new report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC).

The study says these professionals can be used to give criminal funds a legal appearance through property deals, shell companies, fake loans and complex business structures.

The report identifies notaries as one of the highest-risk professions in Albania because they play a key role in property transfers and other financial transactions.

Researchers say the main problem is not a lack of laws but weak enforcement.

The report points to limited oversight, poor coordination between institutions and weak reporting of suspicious activity.

It calls for tougher supervision, greater transparency and stronger action against professionals who break anti-money-laundering rules.