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Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Efforts in Liechtenstein

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Report Summary

The Council of Europe’s Moneyval Committee has evaluated the AML/CFT efforts in Liechtenstein. This report provides a summary of the main points, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses in the country’s approach.

Money Laundering Investigations

Most money laundering (ML) investigations in Liechtenstein are triggered by incoming MLA requests due to the high volume of predicate offenses committed abroad. Analysis of financial flows is essential in these cases.

Key Points:

  • High volume of ML investigations triggered by foreign requests
  • Financial flow analysis crucial for effective investigation

Money Laundering Typologies and Prosecutions

The types of ML activity being investigated and prosecuted in Liechtenstein mirror the country’s risks and threats, with self-laundering of proceeds from fraud committed abroad being a prevailing typology. Autonomous ML prosecutions are encountered infrequently.

Key Points:

  • Self-laundering of foreign fraud proceeds prevalent
  • Autonomous ML prosecutions rare

Confiscation of Proceeds of Crime

Confiscation is pursued as a policy objective, and competent authorities have managed to establish strong inter-institutional cooperation for seizure, freezing, and confiscation proceedings. The amounts seized/frozen and confiscated are considerable.

Key Points:

  • Confiscation pursued as a policy goal
  • Strong institutional cooperation established

Terrorist Financing (TF)

There have been no TF prosecutions/convictions in Liechtenstein so far. The country has a medium risk of TF, and the competent authorities are equipped with skills and knowledge to detect collection, movement, and use of funds for TF purposes.

Key Points:

  • No TF prosecutions/convictions
  • Medium risk of TF

Counter-Terrorism Strategy

Liechtenstein does not have a specific counter-terrorism related strategy but has developed a TF Strategy to prevent/suppress TF. Measures to disrupt TF are available, but none have been applied in lieu of proceedings with TF charges.

Key Points:

  • No specific counter-terrorism strategy
  • TF prevention strategy in place