NCJ Number
226120
Date Published
August 2007
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study investigated an overseas perspective of money laundering in and through Australia.
Abstract
Findings revealed an estimate of $3.8 billion dollars for the total proceeds of crime generated by all crime types. Offenses involving fraud and illicit drug trafficking headed the list of crimes generating income for laundering. When the amounts of money involved were compared, fraud exceeded drug crime by a significant margin. The best estimate for drug proceeds was $382 million. The banking sector, casinos, the real estate market, and the accountancy profession were most commonly used for money laundering in Australia. While the country most cited as laundering money in Australia was an Asian country, countries from all major world regions appeared on the list. The money laundering to, from, or within Australia was characterized by the frequent use of structuring transactions to avoid reporting requirements, accounts in false names, and cash smuggling. Responses from overseas indicated that fraud and drug crime most frequently generated criminal proceeds. Motor vehicle theft and prostitution were ranked higher in overseas countries than in Australia. None of the overseas respondents identified any terrorist financing links between Australia and their country. The study identified areas of further research, particularly a consideration of trade values compared with funds transfers, and the possible use of alternative payment technologies for money laundering. Data were collected from a survey of 14 Australian law enforcement agencies, 21 overseas financial intelligence units, and 4 researchers in Australia and overseas. Figures and references