BSA - An Introduction to Money Laundering Prevention

Gregory J. Cook, EA, CPA+ Accredited Tax Advisor Past President Alabama Society of Enrolled Agents Past President Alabama Association of Accountants

Money is “laundered” to conceal illegal activity, including the crimes that generate the money itself, such as drug trafficking. Money laundering conceals the source of illegal proceeds so that the money can be used without detection of its criminal source.

Financial institutions – including the expanding network of money services businesses (MSBs) – have been both witting and unwitting participants in laundering activities. Banks have been major targets in laundering operations because they provide a variety of services and instruments, including cashier’s checks, traveler’s checks, and wire transfers, which can be used to conceal the source of illicit proceeds. Similarly, criminals use MSBs – establishments that provide money orders, traveler’s checks, money transfers, check cashing, currency exchange, and stored value services – to hide or disguise the origin of funds derived from illegal activity.

In order to protect themselves, and to support national and international efforts against financial crime, it is important that MSBs know how money laundering schemes can operate.

This section of our website provides some basic background information on money laundering laws, discusses actions taken in the international arena, describes several schemes that have involved financial institutions, and gives examples of certain warning signs that may help MSBs protect themselves against money launderers and other criminals.

Background on Money Laundering

Money laundering can be a complex process. It involves three different, and sometimes overlapping, stages:

Placement involves physically placing illegally obtained money into the financial system or the retail economy. Money is most vulnerable to detection and seizure during placement.

Layering involves separating the illegally obtained money from its criminal source by layering it through a series of financial transactions, which makes it difficult to trace the money back to its original source.

Integration involves moving the proceeds into a seemingly legitimate form. Integration may include the purchase of automobiles, businesses, real estate, etc.

An important factor connecting the three stages of this process is the “paper trail” generated by financial transactions. Criminals try to avoid leaving this “paper trail” by avoiding reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

One way money launderers avoid reporting and recordkeeping requirements is by “structuring” transactions, coercing or bribing employees not to file proper reports or complete required records, or by establishing apparently legitimate “front” businesses to open accounts or establish preferred customer relationships.

In recent years, more countries have implemented laws to combat money laundering. Financial service regulators and enforcement agencies around the world are working to improve communications and share information in anti-money laundering efforts.

In this section of our site, you will find a summary of these international initiatives, as well as efforts the government has taken to combat money laundering in the United States. You will also find ways you can help combat money laundering and make your community – and your country – a safer place to live and work.