Follow the money to achieve success: achievable or aspirational

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the extent to which organised crime and the environment have altered in relation to money laundering and terrorist financing and to explore whether strategies to “follow the money” have been successful.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on personal analysis and involvement as a practitioner in law enforcement and includes a broad literature review on the subject of terrorist financing and money laundering.

Findings

Money laundering, terrorist financing and economic crime activity are being disguised in the “noise” of business by specialists that have become very adept at their craft. Financial institutions and lawmakers have invested heavily in countering money laundering and terrorist financing. However, its real effectiveness is somewhat doubtful.

Originality/value

This paper serves to stimulate further discussion and research on how all actors can increase collaboration and co-operation to increase the effectiveness of disruption strategies associated with these classes of crime.

Citation

McTaggart, N.A. (2017), "Follow the money to achieve success: achievable or aspirational", Journal of Financial Crime, Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 425-436. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-03-2017-0022