aml-typologies
THE THREE STAGES OF MONEY LAUNDERING
Placement — Introducing illicit funds into the financial system Red flags: Large cash deposits; multiple deposits just below reporting threshold (structuring); money service business transactions; casino chip purchases/redemptions.
Layering — Obscuring the audit trail through multiple transactions Red flags: Rapid movement through multiple accounts; complex wire sequences across multiple jurisdictions; shell company or nominee director use; conversion between asset classes (cash → wire → crypto → real estate).
Integration — Re-introducing laundered funds as apparently legitimate income Red flags: Luxury asset purchases (real estate, vehicles, art); unexplained business investments; loan repayments from obscure sources; complex "business transactions" with no apparent commercial purpose.