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Primary Money Laundering

Definition

Primary money laundering refers to the initial process of disguising the origins of illegally obtained funds to make them appear legitimate. This involves placement, layering, and integration phases, where illicit proceeds are first introduced into the financial system, then obscured through complex transactions, and finally returned as seemingly clean assets. It represents the fundamental activity that anti-money laundering regulations seek to prevent. This activity undermines financial integrity and supports criminal enterprises.