Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in the Securities Sector

The securities sector is one of the core industries through which persons and entities can access the financial system, providing opportunities for criminals to misuse the financial system. This FATF study describes (i) how criminals might be able to use securities firms to launder money and finance terrorism and (ii) how illicit funds can be generated through fraudulent activities.

The securities industry plays a key role in the global economy. Participants range from multinational financial conglomerates that employ tens of thousands of people to single-person offices offering stock brokerage or financial advisory services.

New products and services are developed constantly, in reaction to investor demand, market conditions, and advances in technology. Product offerings are vast, and many are complex, with some devised for sale to the general public and others tailored to the needs of a single purchaser. Many transactions are effected electronically and across international borders.

Some of the features that have long characterised the industry, including its speed in executing transactions, its global reach, and its adaptability, can make it attractive to those who would abuse it for illicit purposes, including money laundering and terrorist financing. Moreover, the securities sector is perhaps unique among industries in that it can be used both to launder illicit funds obtained elsewhere, and to generate illicit funds within the industry itself through fraudulent activities. Transactions and techniques associated with money laundering and the specific predicate securities offences are often difficult to distinguish, which is why specific indicators and case studies for insider trading, market manipulation and securities fraud are relevant and included in this study.