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

Bank Secrecy Act Records Link Gambling Ring to Structuring at Casinos | Involving SARs, Other Crimes, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs, BSA Violations
Currency Transaction Reports Expose Drug Traffickers Laundering Profits Through Casinos | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs
Suspicious Activity Report Initiates Investigations into Fraud, High-Yield Investment Schemes; Egmont Exchanges Lead to Foreign Accounts and Asset Seizures | Involving SARs, Fraud, Involving CTRs, Schemes and Scams, Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs, Tax Crimes
Suspicious Activity Reports Aid in Ponzi Scheme Investigation | Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Schemes and Scams, Casinos and Card Clubs
Defendant Pleads Guilty in Structuring Case | Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs, BSA Violations
Casino Currency Transaction Reports Help Track Funds Embezzled from a Public Utility | Involving CTRs, Schemes and Scams, Casinos and Card Clubs, Corruption
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
SARs and 314(b) Call Lead to Guilty Plea in Ponzi Scheme | Involving SARs, Fraud, Involving CTRs, Schemes and Scams, Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs, Check Crimes
Bank Secrecy Act Document Analysis Helpful in Fraud Case | Fraud, Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs, Insurance Companies
FinCEN Information Helps Jury Convict Cocaine Trafficker | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs, BSA Violations
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
Bank Secrecy Act Records Track Money Laundering Methods of Drug Gang | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs
BSA Records Show Money Received through Mortgage-Related Ponzi Scheme Supported Million-Dollar Gambling Habit | Money Laundering, Fraud, Involving CTRs, Schemes and Scams, Casinos and Card Clubs
BSA Information Helps Jury Convict Cocaine Trafficker | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs, BSA Violations
Escort Service Operates at and Launders Money through Casino | Money Laundering, Other Crimes, Casinos and Card Clubs
State Coordinator's Case Example (Embezzlement) | Schemes and Scams, Casinos and Card Clubs