The Value of FinCEN Data

Magnifying Glass in Front of Bookshelf

Financial data, collected from financial institutions by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), has proven to be of considerable value in money laundering, terrorist financing and other financial crimes investigations by law enforcement. When combined with other data collected by law enforcement and the intelligence communities, FinCEN data assists investigators in connecting the dots in their investigations by allowing for a more complete identification of the respective subjects with information such as personal information; previously unknown addresses; businesses and personal associations; banking patterns; travel patterns; and communication methods.

FinCEN’s Law Enforcement Awards

Every year, FinCEN holds its Law Enforcement Awards ceremony, which recognizes successfully prosecuted cases. The goals of the program are to recognize those law enforcement agencies that made effective use of financial institution reporting to obtain a successful prosecution and to demonstrate to the financial industry the value of its reporting to law enforcement. The program also emphasizes that prompt and accurate reporting by the financial industry is vital to the successful partnership with law enforcement to fight financial crime. FinCEN receives case submissions from law enforcement for the program, and in all cases, the use of BSA reporting by the financial industry provided highly noteworthy added value to significant investigations. Case summaries for many of the submissions are described in the press releases below:

Search Case Examples Prior to 2015 Using the Drop-Down Menu Below

SAR Filing Results in Arrests on Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering | Depository Institutions, Involving SARs, Money Laundering, Narcotics Trafficking
Check Cashing Worker Convicted of Money Laundering | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Money Services Businesses
Currency Transaction Reports Expose Drug Traffickers Laundering Profits Through Casinos | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs
Lengthy Sentence for Owning a Marijuana Farm | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs
Man Pleads Guilty to Laundering $5.9 Million in Drug Proceeds | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions
Money Laundering Scheme Transferred Over $12 Million to South American Countries | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs
Money Remitting Business Laundering Drug Proceeds | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Money Services Businesses
SARs Lead to Conviction of Major Cocaine Trafficker | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Fraud, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, Tax Crimes
SAR Filings Lead to Investigation Involving Black Market Peso Exchange | Narcotics Trafficking, Informal Value Transfer Systems, Involving SARs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
SAR Filings Reveal Methamphetemine Production Ring | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
SAR Identifies Links in ATF Cases | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs
SARs Assist in Money Laundering Investigation Involving the Insurance Industry | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, BSA Violations, Insurance Companies
SARs Identify Money Laundering of Proceeds from the Sale of Marijuana | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
Suspicious Activity Report Initiates Investigation of Major International Narcotics Organization Utilizing the Black Market Peso Exchange | Narcotics Trafficking, Informal Value Transfer Systems, Involving SARs
Suspicious Activity Report Leads to Forfeiture of Currency | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
Suspicious Activity Report Leads to Structuring Conviction and Links to Drug Investigation | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
Suspicious Activity Reports Aid Conviction of Drug Dealers | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions
Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Structuring and Money Laundering Charges | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
Cocaine Dealer Sentenced to Life in Prison for Distribution, Structuring, and Money Laundering | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
SARs Aid Investigators in Case Where an Auto Dealer Laundered Drug Proceeds | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Depository Institutions
FinCEN Data Proves to be Instrumental in Fraud Case | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Fraud, ID Crimes, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
Proactive Review of SARs Leads to Long Prison Sentences for Drug Traffickers | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Money Services Businesses
FinCEN Information Helps Jury Convict Cocaine Trafficker | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs, BSA Violations
SAR Helps in Investigation of Doctor Prescribing Thousands of Pain Relief Pills | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Tax Crimes
BSA Records Help Dismantle Oxycodone Ring | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, Money Services Businesses