Trade-based money laundering: development of the «red flags» system

Abstract

The OECD and the FATF highlight the problem of money laundering via international trade with a view to disguising illicit gains and moving value through the use of trade transactions. For example, inaccurate invoices may be used, which, according to the Global Financial Integrity estimates, resulted in $0,9 trillion to $1,7 trillion losses in 148 countries in 2006–2015. In Russia, the authorities attempt to reduce the risks of money laundering within the framework of international trade through the use of currency regulation, while foreign countries are using a risk-based approach by developing the “red flags” systems that allow financial intelligence agencies, customs and other state bodies as well as subjects of financial market (through which the payments for export-import transactions are made) and the companies participating in international trade themselves to determine whether a transaction entails risks of money laundering. In addition, internal and international inter-agency exchange of information related to money laundering in international trade, including trade and financial data, is being developed.