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

SAR Leads to Recovery of Funds Derived from Foreign Corruption | Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Fraud, Schemes and Scams, Corruption
Proactive SAR Review Leads to the Arrest of Army Officer and Recovery of Iraqi War Funds | Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Corruption
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
Suspicious Activity Reports Identify Transactions Linked to Embezzlement of a Tribal Authority | Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Other Crimes, Fraud, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Corruption, Tax Crimes
Corrupt Official Convicted on Numerous Charges Including Structuring | Involving SARs, Other Crimes, Fraud, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Corruption, Tax Crimes
Credit Union’s Suspicious Activity Reports Lead to Arrest of Corrupt Utilities Employees | Involving SARs, Schemes and Scams, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Corruption
Local Official Sentenced for Tax Evasion and Structuring | Involving SARs, Depository Institutions, BSA Violations, Corruption, Tax Crimes
SARs Help Uncover Bid-Rigging Scandal | Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Other Crimes, Fraud, Schemes and Scams, BSA Violations, Corruption