Anti money laundering lawyer
Accusations of money laundering are among the most serious in the field of financial crimes, with far-reaching consequences for both individuals and entire companies. These cases are often international in nature, involving the jurisdictions of several countries and requiring deep knowledge in the areas of compliance and criminal law. In such a situation, the key figure becomes a money laundering lawyer — a specialist whose task is to develop a comprehensive defence strategy. They analyse the legality of the origin of funds, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and protect the client’s assets from confiscation. Effective legal assistance enables resistance to pressure from law enforcement agencies and financial regulators on a global level.
What is money laundering?
Money laundering, or the legalisation of criminal proceeds, is the process of converting illegally obtained funds (“dirty” money) into legitimate assets (“clean” money) to conceal their criminal origin. The main goal of this process is to allow the owner of illegal capital to openly use it without arousing suspicion from law enforcement agencies. The source of “dirty” money is usually predicate offences such as drug trafficking, corruption, fraud, tax evasion, terrorism, and cybercrime.
Signs that may indicate attempts at money laundering include atypical and convoluted financial operations lacking obvious economic sense. This could involve the use of complex chains of shell companies, conducting transactions through offshore zones, frequent withdrawal and deposit of large amounts of cash, as well as the purchase of expensive assets (real estate, works of art) followed by their rapid resale.
What actions are classified as money laundering?
The legislation of most countries interprets this concept very broadly. Criminally punishable can be recognised not only direct actions for concealing funds but also any assistance in this process. Such actions include:
- Conversion or transfer of property obtained through criminal means.
- Concealment or hiding of the true nature, source, location, or rights to property.
- Acquisition, possession or use of property, if at the time of receipt its criminal origin was known.
- Participation, collusion or attempt to commit any of the aforementioned actions.
Thus, the accused can be not only the organiser of the scheme but also any participant in the financial chain if it is proven that they knew or should have known about the illegality of the origin of the funds. That is precisely why a qualified money laundering defence lawyer is necessary to analyse all the circumstances of the case.
What are the stages of money laundering?
The process of legalising funds is rarely chaotic. It usually follows a clearly structured three-stage model, designed to maximise the obfuscation of traces and minimise risks for criminals. Each stage performs its specific function in this complex financial chain.
- Placement. At this initial stage, the physical introduction of “dirty” money, most often cash, into the financial system takes place. This is the most vulnerable moment for criminals, as large amounts of cash attract attention. For this purpose, the funds are broken down into smaller amounts and deposited into bank accounts, used to purchase lottery tickets, exchanged for foreign currency, or invested in businesses with high cash turnover (restaurants, casinos, car washes);
- Layering. The aim of the second stage is to distance the money as much as possible from its criminal source. This is achieved through numerous complex and convoluted financial operations. The money can be transferred between accounts in different banks and countries, invested in securities, converted into various currencies or cryptocurrencies, used for purchasing and selling assets. Often, shell companies and complex corporate structures are created for this purpose, making it extremely difficult to trace the origin of the funds;
- Integration. At the final stage, laundered money is returned to the legal economy under the guise of legitimate income. It can be used for investments in real estate, purchasing luxury items, financing legal businesses, or obtaining loans secured by already “clean” assets. At this stage, the money appears completely legitimate, and its owner can freely dispose of it.
Consequences of money laundering
The consequences of a guilty verdict in cases of money laundering extend far beyond standard criminal penalties. They are complex in nature and affect all aspects of a person’s life or a company’s activities. Punishments may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the scale of the crime, but they usually include severe measures.
| Type of punishment | Description |
|---|---|
| Deprivation of liberty | Lengthy prison sentences are standard practice. In some countries, the maximum punishment can reach 20 years or more. |
| Large fines | The amounts of fines can be colossal, often significantly exceeding the amount of laundered funds. |
| Confiscation of assets | The state has the right to seize not only the legalised funds themselves but also any property acquired with them or used in the criminal scheme. |
| International sanctions | Individuals and companies caught in money laundering may be included in international “blacklists” (for example, OFAC lists), which completely blocks their access to the global financial system. |
| Reputational damage | Accusations cause irreparable harm to business and personal reputation, destroying the trust of partners, clients, and investors. |
Particular attention is paid to financial sanctions. An anti money laundering lawyer often encounters situations where a client’s assets are frozen even at the investigation stage, which paralyses any economic activity.
Legal ways to defend against accusations of money laundering
Even in the presence of serious accusations, the law grants the accused the right to effective defence. The task of a money laundering defence attorney is to find weak points in the prosecution’s position and construct convincing counterarguments. Successful defence requires meticulous analysis of every transaction and document.
An experienced lawyer for money laundering can build a strategy on several key grounds:
- The absence of intent or knowledge. The defence may prove that the accused did not know and could not reasonably assume that the funds had a criminal origin. This is especially relevant for company employees following management’s orders.
- Action under duress. In some cases, it can be proven that a person was forced to participate in the scheme under the threat of violence or other pressure.
- The legality of the source of funds. The main task of the defence is to provide evidence of the legal origin of the capital, thereby refuting the very essence of the accusation.
- Violation of procedural norms. Errors made by law enforcement agencies during the investigation (illegal searches, seizure of documents, interrogations without a lawyer) may serve as grounds for declaring evidence inadmissible.
If you or your business are faced with such accusations, it is crucial to seek professional help immediately. Our team of money laundering attorneys will conduct a full audit of your situation, assess the risks, and develop a tailored defence strategy to protect your interests.
What is the Interpol group for combating money laundering?
Since money laundering is a transnational crime, close international cooperation is necessary for its effective combat. Interpol plays a key coordinating role in this process. To strengthen this work, a special Anti-Money Laundering Expert Group (AMLEG) was established.
The goal of AMLEG is to strengthen the capacity of INTERPOL member countries in countering the laundering of criminal proceeds and the financing of terrorism. This is achieved through compliance with international AML (Anti-Money Laundering) standards, primarily the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Functions and role of AMLEG include:
- Exchange of information. The group serves as a platform for the prompt exchange of intelligence on global money laundering schemes, suspicious transactions, and new methods used by criminals.
- Coordination of investigations. AMLEG helps to coordinate complex international investigations involving law enforcement agencies from multiple countries.
- Training and support. The group’s experts conduct training sessions for investigators and financial analysts worldwide, enhancing their qualifications in tracking illegal financial flows.
- Analytical work. The group analyses global trends in money laundering, identifying new threats and developing recommendations to counter them.
How can Interpol lawyers help?
When an investigation into money laundering reaches an international level and Interpol becomes involved, the defence requires a completely specialised expertise. Lawyers specialising in Interpol cases focus on challenging the actions of this international organisation and protecting clients’ rights on a global scale.
Our expertise and experience allow us to provide the following assistance:
- Challenging and removing “Red Notices”. We analyse the legality of the request for international search submitted through Interpol channels and submit reasoned requests for its cancellation to the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF).
- Unblocking of assets. We are working on lifting arrests from bank accounts and assets frozen based on requests distributed through Interpol.
- Protection from extradition. Our solicitors represent clients’ interests in extradition proceedings initiated as a result of the publication of a “Red Notice“.
- Interaction with international structures. We conduct negotiations and correspondence not only with national law enforcement agencies but also with international organisations, including CCF and Interpol units.
Working with cases related to Interpol requires an understanding not only of national legislation but also of the organisation’s statute, as well as precedents in case reviews by the CCF.
Looking for solicitors specialising in money laundering cases?
Investigations into money laundering cases require immediate and qualified actions. The complexity of financial legislation, the international nature of many cases, and the severity of possible punishments leave no room for error. Protecting your rights, assets, and freedom requires engaging a team of lawyers with deep expertise in this specific area of law.
Our team has many years of experience in successfully defending clients worldwide against accusations of financial crimes. We understand how regulators and law enforcement agencies in different countries operate and know how to effectively counteract their actions. We offer not just legal consultations but the development of a comprehensive strategy aimed at achieving the best possible outcome.
If you or your business have faced similar accusations, an audit, or account freezing, do not delay.
Contact us for a confidential consultation, and we will help protect your interests.
