Elevated
Significant Risk of Terrorist Attacks
Money laundering is the legitimization of proceeds from any illegal activity. Illicit proceeds of crimes must be introduced (laundered) into the world’s legitimate financial systems. Criminal organizations transform illicit monetary proceeds into funds derived from an apparent legal source. Three primary stages of money laundering are:
Money laundering has devastating social consequences. It is estimated to introduce hundreds of billions of illegal dollars into the world’s economy every year. If left unchecked, it can erode the integrity of financial institutions, and in some cases threaten a nation’s very sovereignty. Money laundering extends beyond hiding narcotics profits. Trade fraud, alien smuggling and human trafficking, organized crime, arms smuggling, child pornography and other criminally defined offenses all contribute to a money laundering epidemic that knows no borders.
ICE needs your help in order to successfully combat these serious crimes. While financial, trade and cross-border transportation companies, money service businesses and alternative money remitters should learn and follow the legal reporting requirements have legal responsibilities, individuals should be mindful of reporting requirements related to carrying large sums of currency and negotiable instruments when entering and leaving the United States. Suspicious activity should be reported to the ICE Hotline: 1-866-DHS-2-ICE .