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Money Laundering Essay

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“Money laundering”, is a term that is often used in association with illegal activities, especially in terms of terrorist actions. Many news reports in televisions and newspapers have used the term money laundering but still, the general public do not have enough knowledge of what money laundering is and the corresponding effects upon society. In line with this, there is also a need to further study the processes that are involved in money laundering in order to properly address the aforementioned illegal action. Being the case, there is a need to define the term money laundering and its relevance to important social issues. Moreover, due attention should also be given in the ways or means by which money laundering can be efficiently …show more content…

In the modern definition, money laundering “occurs every time any transaction takes place or relationship is formed which involves any form of property or benefit, whether it is tangible or intangible, which is derived from criminal activity” (Hopton, p.2). In relation to this, it is also important to point out that criminal proceeds do not have to be moved in order to launder them (Hopton, 2009). The modern definition of money laundering highlights important points that describe money laundering. Contrary to the common belief that laundering only involves illegal money, there are also cases wherein the money is legal but the failure of an individual to properly declare it as income on a tax return is also recognized as laundering. Furthermore, the traditional view of money laundering involves the purpose that criminals result to laundering in order to identification, punishment, and confiscation of their ill-gotten wealth. The traditional perspective is not incorrect but it is also essential to highlight that the primary aim of criminals is not the conversion of property but rather the need to hide the fact that they actually own the property. The purpose of the criminals is to remove the link between them and the property so that it cannot be related to the criminal offence that they wish to avoid. As a result, money laundering is more

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