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

Mortgage Broker Pleads Guilty to Structuring Charges | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Fraud, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Money Services Businesses, Check Crimes
Securities Dealer Provides Details of High Yield Investment Program Scheme | Broker Dealers, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Fraud
Proactive SAR Review Leads to Guilty Pleas in Structuring, Bank Fraud Case | Involving SARs, Fraud, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
Three Family Members Plead Guilty to Structuring | Involving SARs, Fraud, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Tax Crimes
Stock Fraud Cheats Elderly out of $100 Million | Broker Dealers, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs
SARs Connect Multiple Subjects to Large Scale Investment Scam | Involving SARs, Schemes and Scams, Depository Institutions
SAR Identifies Suspects Involved in a Nigerian Advance Fee Scam | Involving SARs, Schemes and Scams, Depository Institutions
Proactive Bank Secrecy Act Search Leads to Arrest in Ponzi Scheme | Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Schemes and Scams, Depository Institutions
Suspicious Activity Reports Aid in Ponzi Scheme Investigation | Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Schemes and Scams, Casinos and Card Clubs
SAR Review Team Discovers Doctor Structuring Deposits | Involving SARs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
Retail Store Owner Sentenced for Unlicensed Hawala Operation | Informal Value Transfer Systems, Involving SARs, Fraud, Money Services Businesses, Tax Crimes
Bank Secrecy Act Records Link Gambling Ring to Structuring at Casinos | Involving SARs, Other Crimes, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs, BSA Violations
SAR Filings Unveil Fraudulent Securities Dealer | Broker Dealers, Money Laundering, Involving SARs
SAR Reveals Bank Fraud and Money Laundering Violations by Rv Dealer | Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Fraud, Depository Institutions
Check Cashing Worker Convicted of Money Laundering | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Money Services Businesses