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Extension of a Grant of Conditional Exception to the "Travel Rule

FinCEN has extended for another two years a conditional exception to the strict operation of the "Travel Rule" (31 CFR 103.33(g)). The Travel Rule requires a financial institution to include certain information in transmittal orders relating to transmittals of funds of 3,000 or more. This…

GUIDANCE ON INTERPRETING FINANCIAL INSTITUTION POLICIES IN RELATION TO RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS UNDER 31 C.F.R. §103.29

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) receives numerous questions concerning compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) recordkeeping requirement found in 31 C.F.R. §103.29. This section requires financial institutions to verify a customer’s identity and retain…

Currency Transaction Report (CTR) FinCEN form 104
IRS Offshore Voluntary Compliance Initiative – FinCEN Waiver from Civil Money Penalties for Failure to Timely File Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (Form TD F 90-22.1)

This serves notice that the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has granted a waiver from civil money penalties for violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. 5314, and its implementing regulation, 31 C.F.R. Part 103.24, to persons who enter into settlement and…

Customer Due Diligence Requirements for Financial Institutions
Unauthorized Disclosure of Suspicious Activity Reports

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has an obligation to ensure that data collected under the Bank Secrecy Act are properly collected, securely maintained and appropriately disseminated. Following the unauthorized and unlawful disclosures of certain Suspicious Activity Reports to the press…

SARs Assist in Money Laundering Investigation Involving the Insurance Industry

Information generated from cooperating individuals during Operations Cornerstone, a major narcotics trafficking investigation in the Miami area, revealed narco-traffickers placed their drug proceeds into investments in the insurance industry. Policies were identified in various Channel Island…

Suspicious Activity Reports Identify Non-Profit Organizations As Illegal Money Remitters

In 2003, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents initiated an investigation of several non-profit organizations in the United States. These were all registered as tax-exempt organizations. The investigation revealed the organizations were operating as illegal wire remitting…

Bank Secrecy Act Document Analysis Helpful in Fraud Case

In a case that highlights how thoughtful analysis of FinCEN records can aid in an investigation, Federal law enforcement agents asked for FinCEN’s assistance analyzing records associated with a lawyer, and to help trace stolen funds derived from insurance settlements. As a result, a personal…

SARs Are Catalyst in Investigation of $13.1 Million Tax Fraud Conspiracy

Federal law enforcement agencies conducting a tax refund fraud investigation uncovered at least $13.1 million in fraudulently obtained federal and state tax refunds. The lead investigator in the case said the investigation began when a bank reported anomalous automated clearing house (ACH)…