A secure financial service allowing the purchase of a specified amount to be sent as payment. Redeemable by recipients at authorized locations such as post offices and financial institutions, money orders are used for domestic and international transactions, especially for those without access to traditional banking.
Main/
Money Orders
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Code
PS0094
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Name
Money Orders
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Version
1.0
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Category
Payment, Transfer & Remittance Services
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Created
2025-03-14
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Modified
2025-04-02
Related Techniques
- Multiple sub-threshold money orders can be purchased with cash, concealing the aggregate sum.
- Straightforward conversion of illicit cash into structured instruments creates a façade of legitimacy.
- Criminals purchase money orders with illicit funds while labeling them as personal gifts or charitable contributions (e.g., using gift letters).
- They structure transactions below reporting thresholds, avoiding AML reviews typically triggered by higher-value remittance payments.
- False documentation aligning with common gift or familial support claims reduces scrutiny, allowing illicit proceeds to pass as legitimate remittances.
- Criminals purchase money orders with illicit cash in incremental amounts kept under reporting thresholds.
- Once purchased, these money orders are deposited or redeemed in different accounts, giving the appearance of legitimate funds.
- Using multiple purchase locations and frequent transactions further obscures the illicit origin of the money.