Tim Bennett explains what money laundering is, and how you can avoid getting caught up in it.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Money laundering
This can be done via "layering" transactions designed to conceal the origin of the "hot" money. A classic target for this type of transaction would be eurobonds, which are not personally registered, making ownership harder to trace. Having done a number of layering transactions, the criminal will aim to integrate the sale proceeds from the last one back into the economy by spending the now "clean" money.
Since money laundering is connected with serious crime, the penalties are stiff a maximum of 14 years in prison, coupled with an unlimited fine.
Entry from MoneyWeek's Financial glossary.
-
Would you delay retirement to help your children through university?Parents are missing out on as much as £45,000 that could have gone into their pensions because they are using that money to pay their children’s way through university, according to new research
-
Family face £100k stamp duty bill after avoidance scheme crashes in court – the mistakes to avoidA couple faces a substantial stamp duty bill after trying to reduce the amount they owed
