# FATF R.38 — Mutual legal assistance: freezing and confiscation - **Part of:** [[FATF Recommendations]] Countries must be able to act quickly on foreign requests to identify, trace, freeze, seize and confiscate criminal property, recognise and enforce foreign freezing, seizing or confiscation orders, manage such property and share or return confiscated assets. ## Keyed AMLR articles _none_ ## Authoritative text > [!quote]- FATF Recommendation 38 — text of the Recommendation (FATF Recommendations, updated June 2026); interpretive note not reproduced > **38. Mutual legal assistance: freezing and confiscation** > Countries should have measures, including legislative measures, to take expeditious action in response to requests by foreign countries seeking assistance to identify, trace, evaluate investigate, freeze, seize and confiscate criminal property and property of corresponding value. These measures should also enable countries to recognise and enforce foreign freezing, seizing, or confiscation orders. Further, countries should be able to manage property subject to confiscation at all stages of the asset recovery process and share or return confiscated property. > Countries should have in place the widest possible range of treaties, arrangements, or other mechanisms to enhance cooperation in asset recovery.