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The purpose of this study is to provide a bibliometric analysis of the Journal of Money Laundering and Control (JMLC) from 2010 to 2021 and map its way forward.

A range of bibliometric techniques have been used to analyse the performance of JMLC from Volume 14 (Issue 1) to Volume 24 (Issue 4). The Scopus database has been used to analyse the documents of JMLC. A total of 294 documents are reviewed. The bibliographic data has been analysed using the software VOS viewer and R-studio (Biblioshine) to assess the trend of publications, word growth, keyword co-occurrence, citation analysis, most prolific authors and authors’ impact.

JMLC’s academic contributions, influence and impact have grown progressively. The thematic structure of the journal has evolved into six bibliographic clusters, noted as prevention of corruption due to money laundering; compliance and regulation of money laundering; customer due diligence; role of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in the financial system of developing countries; control of terrorism and terrorist financing; and role of money laundering in the proceeds of crime.

The constraint of this endeavour largely arises from its selection of bibliographic data being confined to Scopus.

The results of the study would help the current and future authors to understand the emerging themes in the field of money laundering and control. They are also going to help the editors of the journals of this domain to understand the emerging themes and how the published documents are going to contribute the society, throwing light on the controlling and compliance part of money laundering. Future research directions are provided in tackling the problem of money laundering, corruption, terrorism, crime, etc. with the help of financial intelligence, strong FATF all around the world, machine learning, Bitcoin exchange management and global knowledge management.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first objective assessment of the journal. Thus, the results of the study are useful to past and prospective authors, editorial board members, editors, readers and reviewers to gain a one-stop understanding of anti-money laundering actions through the contributions of JMLC.

Money laundering has become a global concern in recent years, and many countries attempt to employ some preventive measures to cope with this phenomenon. Anti-money laundering (AML) controls vary in different countries, and consequently many studies, to date, have taken account of these differences along with the AML efforts. In this regard, financial institutions play an important role to tackle money laundering by involving in all three stages of money laundering (placement, layering and integration). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the AML situation of the Iranian banks and also study some related variables.

Using the Wolfsberg questionnaire, a survey consisting of 24 Iranian authorized banks in 2017 was conducted.

We conclude that Iranian banks have proper AML controls in place. Furthermore, it is concluded that banks with more staffs and more experienced employees are more likely to establish strong AML controls; conversely, banks with more branches are less likely to set up strong AML controls.

The present study is the first study conducted in Iran, and the outcomes of the study may be helpful to the Iranian and also International Banking System to establish stronger AML controls.

The purpose of this paper is to assess and highlight the approach taken towards the legal control of illicit money laundering taken in the Republic of Kazakhstan, in particular, the role played by an amnesty on the legalisation of illicit funds. This is particularly important as a basis for a wider discussion about the proper limits of the “criminalising” approaches commonly taken in anti-money laundering regulations.

The discussion and evaluation in the paper is based upon a conceptual analysis of the money laundering regime in Kazakhstan, in particular, the legal framework and policies of implementation adopted.

The paper demonstrates that the problems that are posed by the shadow economy in post-Soviet transition societies can make the blanket criminalisation of money laundering a self-defeating approach, unless accompanied by measures which allow for the achievement of “market-constituting” effects.

The paper draws on experience and practice in one jurisdiction only (Kazakhstan); it also limits its focus to one particular example of a money laundering amnesty policy. Both of these limitations, therefore, suggest avenues for further comparative research.

The paper’s conclusions about the interactions between the shadow economies of transitional societies and the global anti-money laundering agenda have wider application in assessments of international law in this area.

This guide is compiled in order that banks may see the extent of the overall problem of fraud and money laundering in documentary credit transactions. It also contains advice on how banks and bankers may protect themselves and their staff from the consequences of fraudulent attacks against the system.

Shortly after the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, the Lebanese government with the help of the international community (the United Nations Development Program) launched a nationwide drive aimed at completely stopping the production and trafficking of illegal drugs. A great deal of success has been achieved in that respect. In line with these efforts, the international community began exerting pressure on the Lebanese banking system to do away with its ‘banking secrecy law’ since it was identified, by the former, as a deterrent in its attempts to fight drug dealers, a perception that was not shared by the Lebanese banking community. The rationale behind such a fundamental difference in opinion is, of course, related to the nature of the process beginning at ‘the crime’ and ending at ‘clean money’.

This paper aims to explore the evolution of the law for combating economic crimes including money laundering in Tanzania and explore the current developments in the anti-money laundering (AML) law and the ongoing fight against these crimes in Tanzania.

A desk-based review of documents on money laundering and its control in Tanzania was conducted. The paper presents qualitative data from the documentary sources. It applies the doctrinal legal research approach to examine, analyze and describe the AML law applicable in Tanzania. The paper uses the “law-in-context” research approach to explore some non-law aspects of money laundering in Tanzania and interrogate how the law addresses non-law dimensions of money laundering. Policy documents and media reports were analyzed. The thematic data analysis technique was applied, which involved identifying, describing and reporting issues according to the themes emerging from the data.

The AML law in Tanzania emerged from the law that was originally enacted to curb economic crimes. The law has evolved for some decades. Its evolution has been driven by domestic factors and foreign drivers which are political, economic and social in nature. The role of the AML law has been changing. Initially, the law was a tool for curbing economic crimes. Recently, the law has acquired a new role, namely, to facilitate the recovery of illicit funds and non-financial assets from offenders and enable the authorities in Tanzania to use those economic resources for developmental purposes.

The paper underscores the need for the Government of Tanzania to re-consider the broader implications involved in its current efforts to tackle economic crimes and money laundering. The balance between the implementation of the measures to combat money laundering and economic crimes in Tanzania and the importance of protecting rights of persons indicted with those offences should be struck. The AML law should be applied in such a way not to infringe the rights of the accused persons and not to throttle economic activities including the flow of legitimate foreign investments into Tanzania.

This paper generates insightful information to policymakers, law enforcers, regulators and other stakeholders who undertake activities to tackle money laundering and its control in Tanzania and researchers who study these issues for purposes of providing understanding of the problem and facilitating policy and legal reforms. The paper raises issues that can be explored further in future and contribute to the discourse on money laundering and its control in Tanzania.

This paper aims to assess the effectiveness of Jamaica’s anti-money laundering regime.

The research is based on secondary sources. Existing laws and reports of relevant agencies were reviewed.

The effectiveness of Jamaica’s anti- money laundering regime is compromised by weak implementation of the regulations. The real estate sector and the legal profession remain vulnerable to money laundering. Some features of the economy allow criminals to circumvent the regulations.

The research is based on qualitative analysis because of the absence of data to compute quantitative measures of effectiveness.

Strong enforcement is required for effective control of money laundering. Furthermore, investigation of money laundering needs to be pro-active and not dependent solely on suspicious transactions reports in countries where corruption is prevalent.

Weak money laundering control can contribute to social instability by allowing criminals to gain significant economic power and influence.

No other study has highlighted the factors undermining the effectiveness of anti-money laundering regulations in Jamaica.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of anti-money laundering/combating of financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) measures in Pakistan. Key variables of AML/CFT regulations of Pakistan are used. This study explores the impact of customer due diligence, record keeping, wire transfers, correspondent banking, reporting of transactions, new technology and internal controls/compliance/trainings on money-laundering risk.

Data is collected with the help of questionnaires developed in light of Financial Actions Task Force (FATF) recommendations and the AML/CFT regulations of Pakistan.

Results show that customer due diligence, correspondent banking and new technology may help control money-laundering risk in Pakistan, whereas impact of record keeping, wire transfers and reporting of transactions did not have an effect on money-laundering risk. This study suggests a better implementation of these measures.

The current study was limited to Pakistani banks. For more conclusive results, future studies should replicate similar studies in other countries.

Findings of this study may help the State Bank of Pakistan in taking measures to simplify the process of implementing FATF rules and regulations regarding AML/CFT, regular monitoring and trainings to the staff of banks and development finance institutions in customer due diligence, correspondent banking and new technology. Further, it helps to take appropriate measures in resolving banks-specific issues related to AML/CFT.

Effective AML/CFT control measures would strengthen socio-economic growth in a country. Further, formalization, compliance and integrity would eliminate money laundering risk. It would create an economy that works with equity and promotes transparency.

This research paper supports implementation of AML/CFT regulations, proper monitoring and novel supervision of banks.

To examine the criminal laws and regulations on money laundering control in China and Hong Kong and to call for legal and institutional reforms in China.

This paper provides a comparative analysis and critically reviews the laws and regulations on money laundering control in China and Hong Kong.

China has shown a firm determination to combat money laundering since 2002. Reforms on Article 191 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China (1997) and the institutional framework are called for to comply with the international standards of the FATF recommendations, the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000) and the UN Convention against Corruption (2003) to control money laundering.

This paper highlights the problems and proposes both legal and institutional reforms on money laundering control in China.

This paper initiates the analytical research on the legal and institutional problems of money laundering control in China which had not been adequately explored.

This paper aims to examine the authorities tasked to fight against money laundering in Tanzania and appraise the efficacy of the country’s anti-money institutional framework to tackle the problem.

The paper draws on a qualitative research and data generated from the analysis of documentary materials. It surveys the anti-money laundering (AML) law in Tanzania to describe the legal and institutional frameworks for tackling money laundering. It explores law-related and non-law aspects to interrogate and appraise the efficacy of Tanzania’s AML law and authorities. The qualitative data were generated using the thematic content analysis technique.

The law in Tanzania establishes authorities and vests them with powers to combat money laundering. The authorities, which are part of Tanzania’s AML institutional framework, have been instrumental in combating money laundering. Nevertheless, several law-related and non-law factors emasculate the efficacy of the AML law and authorities in Tanzania. Some political and economic factors wear off the effectiveness of the country’s AML institutional framework. The transnational nature and complexity of money laundering overwhelm the capacity of the AML authorities in Tanzania.

The paper provides useful insights on money laundering and the legal regime to counteract the scourge in Tanzania which sets up the country’s AML institutional framework. It raises some issues for researchers, policymakers and law enforcers who can re-examine the problem and revisit the law and re-evaluate authorities and propose measures that will enable the government to reinforce the country’s AML regime. The paper makes a case for the government to implement the reforms of the country’s AML policy, legal and institutional frameworks.

The paper investigates issues relating to money laundering and its control in Tanzania beyond the legal perspective to uncover limitations and challenges that emasculate the efficacy of the AML authorities in the Tanzanian context. The issues examined in this paper are not unique to Tanzania and, hence, have relevance to other jurisdictions in sub-Saharan Africa.