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

Operation Cheque Mate | Broker Dealers
Local Municipality Case Example (Drugs and Money Laundering) | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering
SARs Help Investigators Stop Fraudsters in Elder Financial Exploitation Case | Involving SARs, Fraud, BSA Violations, Tax Crimes
Suspicious Activity Reports Identify Money Laundering Activities | Informal Value Transfer Systems, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, BSA Violations
Suspicious Activity Report Leads to the Investigation and Conviction of Elected Official | Involving SARs, Fraud, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Money Services Businesses, Check Crimes
SAR Filing Leads to 125-Count Indictment in $2.7 Million Embezzlement Case | Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Tax Crimes
SAR Unveils Network of Brazilians Involved in a Stolen Check Scheme | Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Fraud, ID Crimes, Check Crimes
Bank Secrecy Act Reports Cast Doubts on Alleged Victim's Story, Lead to Investigation and Indictment for Money Laundering and Operating an Illegal Online Pharmacy | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Other Crimes, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs, Money Services Businesses
Local Official Sentenced for Tax Evasion and Structuring | Involving SARs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Corruption, Tax Crimes
BSA Information Helps Jury Convict Cocaine Trafficker | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs, BSA Violations
Proactive Suspicious Activity Report Search Leads to Guilty Plea in Tax Fraud Investigation | Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Tax Crimes
SARs Lead to Recovery of Funds Derived from Medical Fraud | Involving SARs, Fraud, Depository Institutions
FinCEN Data Proves to be Instrumental in Fraud Case | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Fraud, ID Crimes, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
Former Banker Sentenced for Avoiding Irs Reporting | Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
SARs Result in Sentencing of Family Members in Bankruptcy Fraud Case | Broker Dealers, Involving SARs, Fraud, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
SARs Assist in Conviction of Pharmacist | Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Fraud
Suspicious Activity Report Leads to Arrest and Conviction of U.S. Government Employee for Embezzlement | Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs, BSA Violations, Corruption
Conviction for Making False Statements | Other Crimes, Fraud, Depository Institutions
Suspicious Activity Reports Document Transactions by Defendant With Ties to Organized Crime Group, Possible Terrorism Financing | Involving SARs, Fraud, ID Crimes, Depository Institutions, Terrorism, Check Crimes
Suspicious Activity Report Details Illicit Check Cashing Activity, Provides Blueprint for Investigation and Indictment | Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Money Services Businesses, Check Crimes