Attempting to conceal the source of money made through criminal enterprises by trying to send it through legitimate businesses is referred to as money laundering. This is a serious crime and one that federal and state law enforcement agencies investigate very aggressively.
The investigation into alleged money laundering schemes can be very extensive and your world can be turned upside down if you are believed to be involved in this type of activity. Facing this situation alone can be devastating and very frightening, so it can be crucial to have the support of an attorney.
To begin with, there are several state and federal agencies who can be involved in the investigation and who you may have to deal with if you are under investigation. According to this document on U.S. Money Laundering Threat Assessment, this could include agents from:
- The Department of Treasury
- The IRS
- FBI
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- United States Postal Inspection Service
- Drug Enforcement Administration
These groups have enormous capabilities and resources to investigate money laundering. They have sophisticated equipment to monitor bank, company and phone records, and they know where to look when it comes to assessing potential threats. They are familiar with traditional methods of laundering money and are also expected to keep up with newer tactics that involve Internet transactions and other modern approaches.
It should be clear that law enforcement agencies are very serious when it comes to investigating suspicious activity and financial transactions, and prosecutors are just as serious when it comes to pursuing charges and convictions.
This is why it can be so crucial to have legal representation if you are being investigated for money laundering in Illinois or have already been arrested. You may not have the legal knowledge and resources necessary to defend yourself against the weight and power of state and federal agencies, but working with an attorney can help to level the playing field and make it a little easier to fight to protect yourself, your freedom and your future.
