Potentially suspicious activity following an increase in the volume of transactions by an import company included outgoing wires to Indonesia and Uganda referencing invoice numbers. Incoming funds included large cash deposits and checks/wires from pet stores, breeders, and private individuals. What financial crime might the bank reference in the SAR/STR?
The best reason the EU bank should file a SAR/STR is that the events raise concerns that the payment represents proceeds from illegal wildlife trade, which is a serious financial crime and a predicate offense for money laundering in many jurisdictions3. The fact that the incoming funds came from pet stores, breeders, and private individuals suggests that the import company may be involved in smuggling or trafficking endangered or protected animals or their parts4. The outgoing wires to Indonesia and Uganda, which are known source countries for wildlife trafficking, may indicate payments to suppliers or facilitators of this illicit activity.
Buck
2 days ago