RT Article
T1 Behind the criminal economy: using UK tax fraud investigations to understand money laundering myths and models
JF Crime, law and social change
VO 77
IS 4
SP 405
OP 429
A1 Matanky-Becker, Rian
A2 Cockbain, Ella
LA English
YR 2022
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1824516290
AB To launder money is, by definition, to obfuscate and to hide, which makes it a notoriously difficult topic to study. Data access is another challenge contributing to the underdeveloped base. This paper presents an in-depth exploratory analysis of previously untapped data from the UK’s tax enforcement agency. We examine a sample of money laundering investigations (n = 31) over a three-year period, together involving 52 suspects. Against these cases, we test the applicability of the most widely used international model of money laundering: the three-stage model of placement, layering and integration (FATF, 2019). We also examine who was responsible for the offences and which laundering methods they used. A focus group with professionals helped us explore possible interpretations and implications of our findings. Overall, the results undermine the utility and validity of the ubiquitous three-stage model: it applied in under a third of cases. Cash couriers featured heavily and thus merit further attention, as do the cost-benefit decisions behind choosing between different money laundering methods. This study has relevance for academics, law enforcement, policy-makers and industry professionals alike.
NO Literaturverzeichnis: Seite 427-429
K1 Geldwäsche
K1 Organisiertes Verbrechen
K1 Steuerhinterziehung
K1 Financial Crime
K1 Money Laundering
K1 Organised Crime
K1 Tax evasion
DO 10.1007/s10611-021-09997-4