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:

  • FinCEN Recognizes the Significant Impact of Bank Secrecy Act Data on Law Enforcement Efforts (2021)
  • FinCEN Recognizes Law Enforcement Cases Significantly Impacted by Bank Secrecy Act Filings (2020)
  • FinCEN Holds Fifth Annual Awards Program to Recognize Importance of Bank Secrecy Act Reporting by Financial Institutions (2019)
  • FinCEN Director's Law Enforcement Awards Program Recognizes Significance of BSA Reporting by Financial Institutions (2018)
  • FinCEN Awards Recognize Law Enforcement Success Stories Supported by Bank Secrecy Act Reporting (2017)
  • FinCEN Awards Recognize Partnership Between Law Enforcement and Financial Institutions to Fight Financial Crime (2016)
  • FinCEN Recognizes High-Impact Law Enforcement Cases Furthered through Financial Institution Reporting (2015)

Search Case Examples Prior to 2015 Using the Drop-Down Menu Below

Bank Secrecy Act Records Link Gambling Ring to Structuring at Casinos | Involving SARs, Other Crimes, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs, BSA Violations

Suspicious Activity Report Initiates Investigations into Fraud, High-Yield Investment Schemes; Egmont Exchanges Lead to Foreign Accounts and Asset Seizures | Involving SARs, Fraud, Involving CTRs, Schemes and Scams, Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs, Tax Crimes

Casino Currency Transaction Reports Help Track Funds Embezzled from a Public Utility | Involving CTRs, Schemes and Scams, Casinos and Card Clubs, Corruption

Bank Secrecy Act Document Analysis Helpful in Fraud Case | Fraud, Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs, Insurance Companies

Bank Secrecy Act Reports Cast Doubts on Alleged Victim's Story, Lead to Investigation and Indictment for Money Laundering and Operating an Illegal Online Pharmacy | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving SARs, Other Crimes, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs, Money Services Businesses

BSA Information Helps Jury Convict Cocaine Trafficker | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs, BSA Violations

Bank Secrecy Act Reports Instrumental in Investigation and Conviction of Attorney and Three Accomplices in Multi-Million Dollar Real Estate Fraud | Involving SARs, Fraud, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs, Money Services Businesses

Suspicious Activity Reports Aid in Ponzi Scheme Investigation | Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Schemes and Scams, Casinos and Card Clubs

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

FinCEN Information Helps Jury Convict Cocaine Trafficker | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs, BSA Violations

Bank Secrecy Act Records Track Money Laundering Methods of Drug Gang | Narcotics Trafficking, Money Laundering, Involving CTRs, Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs

Escort Service Operates at and Launders Money through Casino | Money Laundering, Other Crimes, Casinos and Card Clubs

Currency Transaction Reports Expose Drug Traffickers Laundering Profits Through Casinos | Narcotics Trafficking, Involving SARs, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs

Defendant Pleads Guilty in Structuring Case | Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs, BSA Violations

SARs and 314(b) Call Lead to Guilty Plea in Ponzi Scheme | Involving SARs, Fraud, Involving CTRs, Schemes and Scams, Depository Institutions, Casinos and Card Clubs, Check Crimes

Bank Secrecy Act Records Help Launch Investigation on Convicted Felon Not Complying with Restitution Order | Fraud, Involving CTRs, Casinos and Card Clubs

BSA Records Show Money Received through Mortgage-Related Ponzi Scheme Supported Million-Dollar Gambling Habit | Money Laundering, Fraud, Involving CTRs, Schemes and Scams, Casinos and Card Clubs

State Coordinator's Case Example (Embezzlement) | Schemes and Scams, Casinos and Card Clubs