Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Typologies 2004-2005

Since its beginning, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has undertaken the study of the methods and trends associated with money laundering – or “typologies” - as a key component of its work.

In early 2004, the FATF Plenary established a Working Group on Typologies (WGTYP) to provide more focus to this work. With the subsequent creation of project teams to examine a series of defined typologies issues, the WGTYP set up a mechanism that could thus deliver more in-depth research and analysis than had previously been the case. The 2004-2005 typologies report is a reflection of this approach and focuses on the following issues, which have all been researched by separate project groups.

Alternative Remittance Systems

Money Laundering Vulnerabilities in the Insurance Sector

Proceeds from Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration

Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Trends and Indicators: Initial Perspectives

The four chapters of this document are the reports prepared by the project teams. The work reflects the research and analysis carried out by a range of experts from FATF, MONEYVAL and other countries. Invaluable contributions to this work were also obtained from international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, the Egmont Group and many others.

Since the publication of this report, the FATF has published a series of typology reports addressing specific issues.