Money Laundering
Money laundering is a serious white-collar crime that can lead to a prison sentence should you be convicted. If you have been accused of money laundering you must contact Adam Law Solicitors immediately. The offence of money laundering can involve international enforcement prosecutors and a large number of documents. In addition, there are many complexities surrounding money laundering offences, for example, you can be charged with a criminal offence if you alert a relevant person, such as the person suspected of laundering money that an investigation into suspected money laundering is either in progress or pending (known as tipping off). It is therefore imperative to instruct our leading Money Laundering Solicitors to advise and represent you. This will provide you with the best chance of gaining an acquittal or, should you be found guilty, a minimum sentence.
If you have been charged with money laundering offences then you must contact Adam Law Solicitors as quickly as possible. Call now for an initial phone consultation.
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Our Money Laundering Solicitors are some of the UK’s leading experts on business crime. Adam Law Solicitors invest heavily in legal accreditations, including Lexcel and the Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation. These provide our clients with the confidence that we meet the exceptionally high standards for practice management and criminal litigation skills as set by the Law Society of England and Wales.
Adam Law Solicitors have successfully defended clients accused of money laundering. Even if you have been convicted, our team can build a strong case to ensure you receive the lowest sentence possible.
Our clients range from SMEs to large companies with offices across the UK and abroad. The money laundering specialists on our team have extensive experience in dealing with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the National Crime Agency (NCA), and other regulatory bodies charged with prosecuting money laundering offences. We can also bring in forensic accountants and other specialists to provide additional support when building your defence, should this be required.
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FAQs
What is money laundering?
Money laundering is the process of ‘cleaning’ money made from criminal activity.
Money laundering offences can be committed by several different people coming into contact with the proceeds of crime. For example, the people below could all potentially commit a criminal offence by processing the same ‘dirty’ money:
- A person handling the proceeds of a people smuggling ring.
- A person helping the criminal gang physically move that money.
- A bank clerk who receives the funds.
- The bank’s money laundering reporting officer (MLRO).
- A real estate agent who sells a person a property brought with the proceeds of the people smuggling scheme.
- The Solicitor who provides the conveyancing for the aforementioned real estate transaction.
There are three stages involved in money laundering offences:
- Placement – involves moving criminal proceeds into the financial system. Criminals use professional bodies such as Solicitors and Accountants to place the money into legitimate banks.
- Layering – complex financial transactions are used, often involving offshore trusts and companies. The aim is to create a complicated trail to hide the criminal roots of the money.
- Integration – once the money is cleaned’ through the layering process, legitimate assets such as property, shares, art, motor vehicles, and other assets are purchased.
Financial institutions and professional bodies are regularly used by criminal gangs to launder money.
What are the offences of money laundering?
It is important to note that property is not deemed ‘criminal property’ unless a person knows or suspects it originates from criminal conduct. When it comes to money laundering offences, therefore dishonesty is not required, only the knowledge or suspicion that the money originated from a criminal offence/s.
Under the Proceeds of Crimes Act 2002 there are three separate money laundering offences:
- Concealing – it is an offence to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer, or remove criminal property (including money).
- Arranging – this offence involves entering an arrangement in which you know or suspect is enabling the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property by or on behalf of someone else.
- Acquisition, use or possession –if you know or suspect that criminal property or assets have been acquired, used, or retained you can be prosecuted.
If you have been charged with a money laundering offence and wish to discuss what possible defence you may have then call Adam Law Solicitors immediately.
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Why choose Adam Law Solicitors?
Clients who achieve the best results are proactive in that they appoint a Money Laundering Solicitor immediately. At Adam Law Solicitors, our experience and intelligence when handling money laundering allegations can lead to charges against our clients being dropped.
The early stages of an investigation are critical and can have a major influence on the outcome. Even before charges have been made it is vitally important that you appoint a Money Laundering Solicitor. Our pre-charge service includes:
- Advising on whether to challenge illegal searches and arrests and/or contest restraint (freezing) orders.
- Determining whether authorisation for surveillance was properly granted.
- Preparing detailed letters of representation.
- Assisting with the return of seized property.
Call Adam Law Solicitors now for an initial phone consultation.
If you are concerned you may be facing money laundering charges, or are already facing charges, then it is essential you contact us as quickly as possible. Please email us or use the form on this page.