Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate how illicit funds are being laundered through underground currency exchange networks.

Design/methodology/approach

Sixty interviews with money launderers and compliance officers were conducted to identify methods relevant to current money laundering issues. Further, a quantitative survey of 200 compliance officers was administered.

Findings

The currency exchange method is highly suitable for money launderers with access to a criminal network. It may be used for placement or pre-placement. Evidently, the vast majority of compliance officers fail to recognize the utilization of this method in their daily business.

Research limitations/implications

Implications are based on the statements of 60 interviewees, comprising both alleged money launderers and compliance officers.

Practical implications

The study identified gaps in anti-money laundering mechanisms. The documentation of said inconsistencies aims to provide compliance officers, law enforcement agencies and legislators with useful insights into the minds of money launderers.

Originality/value

Whereas most prior literature focuses on money laundering prevention methods, how money launderers operate is not illustrated. This study comprehensively overviews the issue by interviewing not only compliance officers but also money launderers. Understanding how money launderers operate is essential to effectively prevent money laundering. In particular, compliance officers must be able to view money laundering from the criminal’s perspective to sufficiently combat the issue.

中文翻译：

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通过地下货币兑换网络洗钱

目的

本文旨在说明如何通过地下货币交换网络对非法资金进行洗钱。

设计/方法/方法

与洗钱者和合规人员进行了六十次访谈，以确定与当前洗钱问题有关的方法。此外，还对200名合规人员进行了定量调查。

发现

货币兑换方法非常适合可以访问犯罪网络的洗钱者。它可以用于放置或预放置。显然，绝大多数合规官没有意识到这种方法在日常业务中的使用。

研究局限/意义

其含义是基于60名受访者的陈述，其中包括涉嫌洗钱者和合规官。

实际影响

该研究确定了反洗钱机制方面的空白。所述不一致的文档旨在为合规官，执法机构和立法者提供有关洗钱者思想的有用见解。

创意/价值

尽管大多数现有文献集中于预防洗钱的方法，但并未说明洗钱者的运作方式。这项研究不仅会与合规官面谈，而且还会与洗钱者面谈，从而全面概述了这一问题。了解洗钱者的运作方式对于有效防止洗钱至关重要。特别是，合规官必须能够从罪犯的角度看洗钱，以充分解决这一问题。