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

State Coordinator's Case Example (Welfare Fraud) | Involving SARs, Fraud, Involving CTRs, Money Services Businesses
State Coordinator's Case Example (Elder Abuse-Financial) | Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions
State Agency Case Example (Insurance Fraud) | Fraud, Involving CTRs, Money Services Businesses, Insurance Companies
Detailed SAR Narratives Help Uncover Cigarette Smuggling Operation | Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Tax Crimes
Bank Secrecy Act Records Assist in Mortgage Fraud Investigation Resulting in Guilty Plea | Involving SARs, Fraud, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Money Services Businesses
Analysis of SAR Filings and CTRs Leads to Indictments of Criminal Organization | Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs
Suspicious Activity Reports Document Bank Transactions on Behalf of Drug Trafficker | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations
BSA Filings Identify Financial Scams Bilking Investors out of $2.2 Million | Broker Dealers, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, ID Crimes, Involving CTRs