Money Laundering: a brief definition.

U.S. Money Laundering Law: an overview

List of 176 Specified Unlawful Activities

Compliance guidance provided by various sources

The Forty Recommendations of 2003, Financial Action Task Force, June 2003

U.S. reporting forms

Money Services Businesses Registration Form - The form asks for the identity of the MSB owner, the locations where services are offered and other information. MSBs include money transmitters, currency exchangers, check cashers, issuers of traveler’s checks or money orders, and sellers or redeemers of traveler’s checks or money orders. Money Services Businesses in the U.S. have until December 31 to register.

Currency Transaction Report (FinCEN Form 104, formerly IRS Form 4789) - All U.S. financial institutions, including banks, money transmitters, check cashers and currency exchange houses must use this form to report to the U.S. government cash transactions involving more than $10,000. The form was updated in August 2003. Older forms will not be accepted after August 31, 2004.

Designation of Exempt Person Form (Treasury Department Form TD F90-22.53) - U.S. banks that exempt customers from currency transaction reporting duties must use the form to report the exemption to the U.S. government. The form was updated in January 1999.

Currency Transaction Report for Casinos (FinCEN Form 103, former IRS Form 8362) - U.S. casinos that operate outside of Nevada must use this form to report to the U.S. government cash transactions involving more than $10,000. The form was updated in March 2003. Older forms will not be accepted after September 30, 2003.

Currency Transaction Report by Casinos Nevada (Internal Revenue Service Form 8852) - U.S. casinos that operate in Nevada must use this form to report to the U.S. government cash transactions involving more than $10,000. The form was updated in May 1997.

Suspicious Activity Report Form - U.S. banks and other "depository institutions" must use this form to report a wide range of "suspicious activity." The form was updated in July 2003. Older forms will not be accepted after December 31, 2003.

Suspicious Activity Report for Securities and Futures Industries (FinCEN Form 101) - Securities and futures industries must report suspicious activity using this SAR-SF form. The form was issued in January 2003.

Suspicious Activity Report for Casinos and Card Clubs (FinCEN Form 102) - Every reporting casino and card club must file this form for any suspicious transaction relevant to a possible violation of law or regulation. The form was updated in April 2003 and replaced Treasury Department Form TD F 90-22.49. Older forms will not be accepted after December 31, 2003.

Suspicious Activity Report for Money Services Businesses (TD F 90-22.56) - MSBs that are money transmitters or issuers, sellers or redeemers of money orders or traveler's checks are required to report suspicious activity by filing the SAR-MSB Form. October 2002.

The Report of Cash Payments Received in a Trade or Business (Internal Revenue Service Form 8300) - U.S. trades and businesses, including car dealers, jewelers, attorneys and others, must use this form to report cash transactions of more than $10,000. The form was updated in August 1994.

Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (Treasury Department Form TD F90-22.1) - U.S. persons must use this form, which is commonly known as the FBAR, to report a U.S. person's financial interest in or signature or other authority over one or more bank account, securities account, or other financial account in foreign countries with a value of $10,000 or more. The form was updated in July 2000.

Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments (FinCEN Form 105, former Customs Form 4790) - Anyone transporting more than $10,000 in cash or unrestricted monetary instruments into or out of the U.S. must use this form to report the transportation to the U.S. government.