Recovery of funds in a cross-border money laundering case
Anonymised case · Professional reference
Background and challenges
Proceeds of an illegal fundraising offence were transferred overseas through layers of accounts with the assistance of other individuals, forming a cross-border laundering chain. Dispersed funds and concealed flows created challenges for investigation, inter-jurisdictional cooperation and recovery.
Approach and implementation
The investigating authorities pursued criminal liability for money laundering while tracing the funds. They reconstructed transfers through dozens of puppet accounts and the cross-border laundering route, using seizure, freezing and recovery measures to identify funds and assets purchased with criminal proceeds. The approach combined prosecution with asset recovery.
Outcomes
The court imposed imprisonment and a fine for money laundering. Proceeds of the predicate offence and the income derived from them were also subject to seizure, freezing and recovery. The assets involved were worth several million renminbi and included vehicles, helping prevent further overseas transfers and dissipation.
Lessons for international cooperation and governance
Cross-border money laundering is concealed through complex chains, making fund tracing and recovery central to AML work. The case offers a practical reference for the Alliance's assistance in identifying laundering routes and supporting fund tracing and asset recovery.