Real Estate, Land and Luxury Asset Tracing, Seizure and Forfeiture

Course overview

Land, apartments, vehicles, jewellery and other luxury goods remain the most common destination for criminal wealth in East Africa. They are attractive because they hold value, can be registered in other names and are easily justified as investments. This real estate asset tracing course teaches practitioners how to find these assets, prove the link to crime and secure them for forfeiture.

Participants learn how land and property are registered, transferred and financed in the region, including digital land registry platforms, and where gaps allow concealment through relatives, companies and informal agreements. They practise tracing purchase funds, analysing sale agreements, mortgages and valuations, and identifying red flags such as cash purchases, under-declared prices and rapid resales. The course then covers vehicles, boats and high-value goods, followed by restraint, registration of orders, preservation, valuation and forfeiture. The role of lawyers, agents and developers as gatekeepers is examined throughout.

Participants leave able to trace and secure real estate and luxury assets efficiently, and to work with registries and gatekeepers to prevent concealment.

What you will be able to do

• Explain how land and property are registered, transferred and financed in the region
• Identify concealment methods and red flags in property transactions
• Trace the source of funds used to buy property and luxury goods
• Analyse sale agreements, mortgages and valuations for evidence
• Secure property, vehicles and luxury goods through appropriate orders
• Work with gatekeepers and registries to prevent concealment

Who should attend

For investigators, prosecutors, land officers and asset managers who handle cases involving property, vehicles and high-value goods.

• Asset recovery investigators
• Financial investigators
• Prosecutors
• Land registry officers
• Valuers in public institutions
• Asset management office staff
• Real estate sector supervisors

Course outline

Fees are per participant in US dollars and cover tuition, course materials and your certificate. Travel and accommodation are not included.