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1 – 10 of 328The 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…
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.
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Jonatas Dutra Sallaberry, Liz Spinello Quaesner, Mayla Cristina Costa and Leonardo Flach
This study aims to analyse and measure the damage caused by acts of corruption in the largest investigation in Brazil, known as the “Lava Jato” operation.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyse and measure the damage caused by acts of corruption in the largest investigation in Brazil, known as the “Lava Jato” operation.
Design/methodology/approach
For the analysis of financial flows, documentary research was carried into denunciation and judicial decisions. Based on the “Follow the Money” methodology, it was possible to follow the inverse trail of money, from the indications of benefits to public agents, financial operators and fake companies up to the deviation of refinery construction.
Findings
The analysis allowed the identification of damages from acts of corruption that reached 17.8% of the value of the oil refineries built, while the benefit of the corrupting agents was 13.7% of the damage caused. The analysis shows several other characteristics of the movements and the identification strategy of financial crimes.
Research limitations/implications
Research enabled the development of a strategy to identify and measure the flow of corruption and money laundering.
Practical implications
Based on the identified financial parameters, it will be possible to estimate the damage caused by a corrupt act for a certain benefit.
Originality/value
The research identified financial parameters of damages and benefits from acts of corruption in the largest fraud that occurred in the country, which was replicated in modus operandi in several works and countries in Latin America.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the various typologies and methods used to cloak assets following the placement stage of money laundering.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the various typologies and methods used to cloak assets following the placement stage of money laundering.
Design/methodology/approach
Techniques used to hide assets and cloak ownership, ranging from simple nominee arrangements through to complex financial transactions are explored.
Findings
There are a myriad of methods available to money launderers to cloak their assets.
Research limitations/implications
More work needs to be done on the issue of information gateways.
Practical implications
Assets are cloaked to obfuscate the trail and make it difficult for law enforcement to “follow the money”. Understanding the methodologies used is the first step to understanding the problem.
Originality/value
A number of cases from Canada, the USA and Australia were studied, as well as reference material advisors use for asset protection.
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The purpose of this paper is to analyse the new Russian law on Money laundering. Globalisation has turned the international financial systems into a paradise for money launderers…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the new Russian law on Money laundering. Globalisation has turned the international financial systems into a paradise for money launderers. As much as globalisation has expanded opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the new Russian law on money laundering which brought some changes to the existing system was introduced in Russia in 2002. Even though it has improved the regulation on money laundering greatly, it has failed to efficiently combat terrorism. Overall, the Russian anti-money laundering regime has proved ineffective in terms of meeting its stated purposes of combating organised crime and terrorism. The limited success of the Russian anti-money laundering law stems largely from the fact that Russian banking system is structurally weak.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper analyses the problems through literature review. Also, the problem will be looked at from an international law perspective, explaining why Russian efforts will not be efficient as long as no consensus is reached at international level.
Findings
This paper starts from the premise that Russian made great effort to comply with international recommendations but that its law fails to efficiently deal with terrorism finance partly due to the fact that no consensus exists at international level as to the definition of the terrorism. Furthermore, the doubt persists as to the real aim pursued by Russian Government while enacting the money laundering law.
Originality/value
Few papers have been published about money laundering in Russia, but none of them look at the problem of the lack of definition of terrorism at international level to explain the deficiencies of the system in place.
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The second part of a series that aims to provide an alternative viewpoint about the issues surrounding money laundering.
Abstract
Purpose
The second part of a series that aims to provide an alternative viewpoint about the issues surrounding money laundering.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper combines narrative with argument and analysis to look closely at how the present state of the money laundering laws which are currently in force have arisen, to a greater or lesser extent, throughout the world.
Findings
No real understanding of this phenomenon can be achieved without understanding the political conflicts which are identified by the US approach to world affairs, and the part that the US currency plays in them, because it is as much the influence of the ex‐patriot US dollar which plays such a significant part in the world of funny money control, as any other aspect.
Originality/value
This comparative study enables readers to see more clearly the intentions behind the thinking (or lack of it) of those who have implemented the legislative changes, as well as their geo‐political ambitions.
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Javier Turienzo, Jesús F. Lampón, Roberto Chico-Tato and Pablo Cabanelas
The materials and energy density of current electric vehicles (EV) battery technology means that the vehicles are heavier and have a shorter range in comparison to internal…
Abstract
The materials and energy density of current electric vehicles (EV) battery technology means that the vehicles are heavier and have a shorter range in comparison to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV). Battery cost also means EVs are relatively expensive for the consumer, even with government incentives, and dependent on sometimes-rare resources being available. These factors also limit the applicability of battery-electric technologies to heavy-duty vehicles. However, a number of next generation technologies are under laboratory development which could radically change this situation. Using a follow-the-money methodology, the strategic innovations of companies and public institutions are examined. The chapter will review the potential for changes in resource inputs, higher-density batteries and cost reductions, considering options such as lithium-air, metal-air and solid-state technologies. The innovations outlined in these technologies are considered from an economic perspective, identifying their advantages and disadvantages in commercialisation. At the same time, innovations, and investments in infrastructure electrification (Electric Road Service) and battery exchange point with swapping technology will be also considered due their implications and contribution to solving battery-related challenges and shortcomings. It is concluded that only a joint investment in effort on technologies would allow the use of EVs to be extended to a broad public in terms both of users and geography.
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This paper aims to inform the readers about the preferred type of financial intelligence for early detection of terrorist financing activities.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to inform the readers about the preferred type of financial intelligence for early detection of terrorist financing activities.
Design/methodology/approach
Literature review methodology was adopted to find the existing approaches of financial intelligence and logical reasoning was applied to sort out what type of financial intelligence is more preferable for early detection of terrorist financing activities.
Findings
It was found that proactive financial intelligence executed through financial intelligence tools is the most preferred type of financial intelligence for early detection of terrorist financing activities.
Research limitations/implications
The research will pave the way for further research on how to design financial intelligence tools for the early detection of terrorist financing activities.
Practical implications
The financial intelligence units will use the preferred type of financial intelligence for the early detection of terrorist financing activities.
Social implications
It will help to establish peace in the society by thwarting terrorist conspiracies because early detection of terrorist financing through financial intelligence tools will stop the flow of funds to and from terrorists.
Originality/value
The originality of the paper lies in distinguishing proactive financial intelligence from reactive financial intelligence.
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Money laundering occurs in almost every crime where there is a financial motive. People who commit most crimes have personal enrichment as at least one of their motives. Because…
Abstract
Money laundering occurs in almost every crime where there is a financial motive. People who commit most crimes have personal enrichment as at least one of their motives. Because of the need to hide the fact that wealth came from a criminal act, the criminals need to disguise the money. This forms the basis of all money‐laundering and tax crimes. To complete the money‐laundering activity generally involves a series of transactions designed to disguise the source of funds, so that these assets may be used without discovery by law enforcement. Through the money‐laundering process the individual tries to transform the appearance of the funds derived from the illegal activity into one having come from a legitimate source. There has been an emerging new system of money laundering where the use of legitimate commercial trade activity is being used by criminals involved in illegal activity to disguise their criminally derived profits as coming from legitimate businesses.
The most prominent and persistent problems of our global monetary system are instability and imbalances. We propose an international monetary model to solve these problems while…
Abstract
Purpose
The most prominent and persistent problems of our global monetary system are instability and imbalances. We propose an international monetary model to solve these problems while at the same time move the model closer to Maqāṣid Sharīʿah (objectives of Sharīʿah). We name this an organic global monetary model or abbreviated as OGM. OGM is an international monetary model directly built on the national monetary system of each member country so that the two can co-exist.
Design/methodology/approach
Model design, theory and literature.
Findings
The model can eliminate interest rates at the central bank level, create non-tradable international money, and make a more stable international monetary system.
Originality/value
Original.
Details