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SAR Assists in Identifying Money Remitter Sending Money to Iraq

In March 2002, as a result of a lead provided from a SAR, an investigation was initiated into an individual doing business as an unlicensed money remitter. The funds were being wired to a bank account in Jordan.

In October 2002, U.S. Customs agents executed a search warrant on three…

SAR Filing Leads to 125-Count Indictment in $2.7 Million Embezzlement Case

A SAR filing by a credit union in Rapid City, South Dakota was instrumental in uncovering a massive scheme by individuals to embezzle approximately $2.7 million from a South Dakota College. The investigation was conducted by IRS-CID, FBI, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of…

SAR Filing Leads to Embargo Investigation

An investigation of a possible violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act was initiated following the filing of a SAR by a bank in New York. The SAR stated that an unnamed bank vice president in charge of the funds transfer program manipulated four payments to the Sudan…

SAR Filing Leads to Identification of Elaborate Ponzi Schemes

Case one. A multi-agency investigation of several subjects engaged in a Ponzi scheme, in which 5,000 investors were defrauded of $67 million, was aided by the filing of a SAR by a financial institution in Hawaii. Proceeds of the scheme were deposited into numerous accounts at various business…

SAR Filing Locates Check Kiting Suspect

An investigation into the exportation of stolen merchandise exposed that the defendant was using a check kiting scheme to defraud local area banks resulting in losses exceeding $50,000. Subsequent to the defendant’s bond hearing, the defendant fled the jurisdiction and continued to engage in…

SAR Filing Results in Arrests on Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering

A multi-agency money laundering/marijuana trafficking investigation was initiated following the filing of a SAR by a bank in Tennessee. The SAR disclosed that an individual was depositing large amounts of U.S. currency into three bank accounts. The deposits ranged from $5,000 to $25,000 with the…

SAR Filing Trips Up Card Thief

A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to 15 months in prison followed by 3 years probation for structuring bank transactions to prevent the IRS from learning about profits earned from his role in sports card theft. The man owned a company involved in the sale of sports cards and was found to be…

SAR Filing Uncovers Additional Counterfeit Check Fraud

In a Florida case, a SAR filing led to the identification of additional fraud perpetrated by a subject already under investigation by special agents within the U.S. Secret Service’s (USSS) Tampa Field Office. From December 1996 through May 1997, investigators identified an individual who…

SAR Filing Uncovers Investment Fraud Scheme

The submission of a SAR filing led to the uncovering of a $28 million investment fraud scheme in which approximately 140 individuals were victimized. The subject convinced the victims/investors that he was a successful businessman who operated many highly profitable business ventures. The…

SAR Filing Unveils Customs Fraud

A U.S. Customs Service investigation in the Washington, D.C. area was initiated after a Virginia-based bank reported suspicious currency activity on a suspected money launderer. The information indicated possible structuring of financial transactions. The suspect had no visible means of support…