Inside the Cartels and Chinese Money Laundering Networks Driving Criminal Economies

Report

Inside the Cartels and Chinese Money Laundering Networks Driving Criminal Economies

Cartels and their criminal financing continue to evolve, using professional networks to launder the proceeds from narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, environmental crime, fuel theft and oil smuggling, corruption at ports and “taxation” of local economies.

Download our latest report for an assessment of money laundering methodologies and red flags – and the actionable steps financial institutions can take.

Key Topic Covered

The Cartels
Cartel Revenue Sources
Money Laundering Methodologies
Focus Areas: Mirror Transfers, Crypto, Casinos, Daigou, Students as Money Mules
Use of Illicit Funds
Actions for Financial Institutions

Refresh Captcha Image

By submitting this form the Institute for Financial Integrity will use the information you have provided here in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By providing your personal information, you agree that Institute for Financial Integrity may use it to contact you by email. If you do not agree to Institute for Financial Integrity using your personal information for this purpose, do not complete this form.

Synthetic Identities

January 8, 2026

Fraud generates billions in proceeds every year, and the use of AI significantly increases the speed, scale, and likelihood of success. Synthetic identities are already leveraged to open accounts used to commit fraud and launder money. Explore red flags and actions financial institutions must take to detect and respond to AI-enabled synthetic identities.

AML/CFT and Sanctions Enforcement Actions in 2025

December 9, 2025

2025 will go down as a historic year for AML/CFT and sanctions-related enforcement actions in two ways. It’s the first time in over 20 years that no banks have faced major penalties, and state regulators began jointly penalizing institutions.

Debt & Duty

December 4, 2025

Chinese Money Laundering Networks target students to operate as money mules to launder cartel proceeds. Learn more about the methods used for recruitment and control, and the red flags that financial institutions can use to identify and respond.

When Holiday Cheer Meets Fraud Pressure

November 26, 2025

This article breaks down the key scam patterns emerging this season, why December has become a true test of institutional readiness, and the steps teams can take to reduce losses and respond with confidence.

Where Boards and Senior Management Fall Short on Compliance Oversight

November 18, 2025

From passive oversight and overreliance on compliance officers to blind spots in risk awareness and a check-the-box only training culture, senior management often stumbles in ways that invite regulatory scrutiny. This article explores the most common pitfalls and how leaders can avoid them to strengthen accountability at the top.

OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule

November 12, 2025

This article delves into OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule, common pitfalls, and best practices for avoiding costly mistakes.

Phantom Risks

October 30, 2025

As financial crime compliance teams rely increasingly on automation, unseen vulnerabilities often hide in plain sight. This article examines the “phantom risks” modern CCOs face—from AI-driven fraud to overlooked vendor gaps—and how to bring them into the light before they strike.

Navigating the Convergence of Sanctions Evasion, Export Control Evasion, and Money Laundering

October 22, 2025

Explore the convergence of illicit finance domains through real-life examples including Russia’s procurement of drone components, Iran’s evasion networks, and China’s acquisition of restricted chips.

The Illusion of Preparedness

October 15, 2025

High training completion rates may look good on paper, but they don’t always mean teams are ready for real-world threats. Explore why even well-trained staff can miss critical red flags—and what leaders can do to turn perceived readiness into proven preparedness.

IFI Releases Executive Annual Compliance Training for Iraqi Financial Institutions

View Press Release

This is default text for notification bar

Learn more

Inside the Cartels and Chinese Money Laundering Networks Driving Criminal Economies

Recommended Articles