Online banking is vulnerable to all three stages of money laundering, namely placement, layering, and integration, because it allows the movement of funds across different accounts, jurisdictions, and institutions with speed, anonymity, and convenience. Online banking can facilitate the following money laundering methods:
Placement: The initial stage of money laundering, where illicit funds are introduced into the financial system. Online banking can enable placement by allowing the deposit of cash or checks through ATMs, mobile devices, or remote deposit capture, or the transfer of funds from prepaid cards, digital wallets, or cryptocurrencies to bank accounts.
Layering: The second stage of money laundering, where illicit funds are moved, disguised, or concealed to obscure their origin and ownership. Online banking can enable layering by allowing the transfer of funds between multiple accounts, often in different jurisdictions or currencies, or the purchase of financial products or services, such as money orders, wire transfers, or online gambling, that create complex transaction trails.
Integration: The final stage of money laundering, where illicit funds are reintroduced into the legitimate economy as apparently legal income or assets. Online banking can enable integration by allowing the transfer of funds to legitimate businesses, investments, or charities, or the purchase of goods or services, such as real estate, luxury items, or travel, that provide a cover for the source of funds.
[:, ACAMS CAMS Certification Video Training Course1, Module 2: Money Laundering Risks and Methods, Lesson 2.1: The Three Stages of Money Laundering, ACAMS CAMS Study Guide, 6th Edition2, Chapter 2: Money Laundering Risks and Methods, Section 2.1: The Three Stages of Money Laundering, pp. 29-34, ACAMS CAMS Examination Preparation Seminar, 6th Edition3, Chapter 2: Money Laundering Risks and Methods, Section 2.1: The Three Stages of Money Laundering, Slides 9-13, ]