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What Are The Three Stages Of Money Laundering?

Last updated May 11 2022 | Litigation

by Paul Britton

by Paul Britton

Managing Director and Solicitor

In this article

What are the three stages of money laundering?

The three stages of money laundering are as follows:

Flowchart outlining the stages of money laundering
Remember...

Placement is often the most challenging stage for a money launder. Placing large amounts of cash into a financial system commonly causes suspicion.

2. Layering

Stage two of money laundering is the movement of money with the intent to mix it with legitimate funds and hide the dirty money’s illegal origin. Commonly, a money launder will go about layering by transferring funds both domestically and internationally through various bank accounts. Additionally, a money launder may also conduct layering by buying and reselling assets such as properties and other high-value goods.

Remember...

The more layers there are, the harder it is to detect the origin of the funds.

3. Integration

Once the above stages are complete, the money is considered ‘clean’. Therefore, the money returns to the money launder from a seemingly legitimate source.

Remember...

When the money reaches the integration stage, it’s almost impossible to distinguish whether the money launder’s wealth is legal or illegal. As a result, the money launder can spend their money without concern.

Examples of money laundering:

Some of the most common forms of money laundering include:

1. Casino laundering. In this instance, a money launder can purchase chips at a casino with the money they obtained illegally. At a later date, the launder can return the chips for cash or a bank transfer from the casino into their account.

2. Asset laundering. In this circumstance, a money launder can use illegitimate money to purchase assets, such as high-value items, such as artwork. Then at a later date, the launder will resell the item for cash or a bank transfer through an auction. 

3. Trade laundering. This instance involves directors of legitimate businesses falsifying invoices to move illegitimate money. To banks and HMRC, it’s impossible to recognise that this money is illegitimate, as they appear as legitimate business transactions alongside actual business takings.

Remember...

Nowadays, anti-money laundering checks have been brought into many businesses to prevent money laundering from taking place. For example, regulations have now be brought in place to reduce the opportunities to purchase properties with cash.

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