Financial Crime World

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Money Laundering Using New Payment Methods

October 2010 Report by FATF/OECD

The report highlights recent developments related to new payment methods (NPMs), including prepaid cards. It emphasizes that NPMs have garnered significant attention and research, but there is still a need for comprehensive comparative analysis of these issues.

Types of Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards can be categorized into two main types:

  • Open-loop cards: These are more widely used and negotiable.
  • Closed-loop cards: Although they were not directly involved in money laundering and terrorist financing cases, they were sometimes used as an intermediary store of value.

Risks Associated with Prepaid Cards

The report stresses the importance of awareness about the opportunities and risks associated with NPMs, particularly prepaid cards. It notes that stolen credit card information has been used to purchase closed-loop prepaid gift cards, which can be used for money laundering or financing terrorism.

Case Studies

  • In 2007, two defendants were prosecuted for using stolen credit card account information to purchase closed-loop prepaid gift cards.
  • A law enforcement investigation was conducted into a suspected use of a closed-loop card company for money laundering and terrorist financing.

Research Initiatives

The report also mentions the FATF typologies report on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing vulnerabilities of commercial websites and Internet Payment Systems, as well as other research initiatives related to NPMs. Overall, the report emphasizes the need for further research and awareness about the risks and opportunities associated with NPMs, particularly prepaid cards.

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