Tracing, Seizing and Recovering Trafficking in Persons Proceeds in the Era of Digital Finance and Crypto-Assets in South Eastern Europe

05.03.2026

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This week's meeting brought together prosecutors, judges, law enforcement investigators, financial intelligence specialists and policy experts from across South-Eastern Europe and the EU, alongside representatives of international organizations, civil society and the private sector. Participants included experts from institutions such as EUROPOL, INTERPOL, UNODC, national ministries of interior and justice, specialized prosecution offices, financial investigation units, cryptocurrency analytics companies and anti-trafficking organizations.
The event was implemented by UNODC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France.
On Day 2, participants visited the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), where our team presented its mandate and activities supporting regional cybercrime investigations. Director Gilles Schwoerer presented the overall operations of the Centre while our in-house expert for cybercrime, Cyril C., introduced WB3C’s crypto-assets training programme, highlighting how investigators in the region are being equipped with practical skills for blockchain analysis, cryptocurrency tracing and digital evidence handling in financial investigations.
Discussions throughout the meeting emphasized the growing importance of digital forensics, blockchain analysis and cross-border cooperation in identifying and recovering criminal proceeds linked to trafficking in persons.
Events like this demonstrate how cooperation between international organizations, governments, investigative bodies and technical experts is becoming essential to address increasingly complex financial crimes in the digital era. The group visited the WB3C training facilities and part of the Science and Technology Park as one of the driving platforms for innovation in Montenegro.

Other news and events

OSINT Training for Trafficking in Human Being and Migrant Smuggling

Four days in the training room, focused on a topic where online traces can make a very real difference: OSINT for Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) and Migrant Smuggling.
WB3C has just concluded this regional training for law enforcement units, organised together with Marie Pierre MOSIN, EU4FAST and CIVIPOL and delivered by our in-house trainer Cyril CORRIAS.
For investigators working on THB and migrant smuggling, the digital aspect is essential. Recruitment, communication, movement, facilitation networks and financial signals often leave online traces. Knowing how to find, assess, preserve and use that information responsibly can strengthen investigations and support better cross-border cooperation.
This is why OSINT remains part of WB3C’s core programme. It connects cyber skills with real operational needs in the Western Balkans and helps law enforcement units build practical capacity against serious and organised crime.
A strong three days, with committed participants and a clear regional purpose.

Cybersecurity for Electrical Grid Systems

In cooperation with Urad Vlade Republike Slovenije za informacijsko varnost (URSIV) za informacijsko varnost, on 12–14 May, Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) organised the Cybersecurity for Electrical Grid Systems training for professionals working across electrical grid operations, OT/SCADA environments, substations, protection and automation, and cybersecurity management.
Over two and a half intensive days, participants worked on practical approaches to strengthening the cyber resilience of electrical grid systems, including:
• threat modelling for control centre and substation environments
• secure OT architecture, zoning and remote access
• OT telemetry, logging and detection engineering
• incident response decision-making and recovery planning
• practical exercises, tabletop scenarios and mitigation planning

Critical infrastructure cybersecurity requires close cooperation, operational understanding and continuous capacity building. This training supported practitioners to strengthen preparedness, improve response coordination and build more resilient electrical grid environments across the region.

Special thanks to URSIV and Igor Kovač for enabling this training led by Primoz Bratanic, and thank you to all participants for their active engagement.

Western Balkans Cyber Camp 2026, Durres, Albania

The traditional annual gathering of young cyber talent, organised by Autoriteti Kombëtar për Sigurinë Kibernetike / National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) in Albania, took place again this year, bringing together young professionals from across the Western Balkans.
Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) was glad to be part of this great regional event once again.
The WesternBalkansCyberCamp 2026 combined keynote remarks, panel discussions, expert sessions and a Capture The Flag competition, giving participants space to learn, test their skills, work in mixed regional teams and connect with peers from neighbouring countries.
WB3C contributed through participation in the panel discussion by Gilles Schwoerer and through our trainer Ronan Mouchoux, who supported the practical learning part of the programme.
What makes this camp valuable is not only the technical work, but the trust, friendships and professional links built among young people who will shape the region’s cyber future.
Thank you to Autoriteti Kombëtar për Sigurinë Kibernetike / National Cyber Security Authority , Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and OSCE Presence in Albania for supporting this important regional initiative.