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CRM 2000 - 2500

2040. Bank Records And Foreign Transactions -- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)

The Department of the Treasury has designated the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as one of the primary agencies to establish, oversee and implement policies to prevent and detect money laundering. This is accomplished in two ways. First, FinCEN uses counter-money laundering laws such as the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) to require reporting and record keeping by banks and other financial institutions. This record keeping preserves a financial trail for investigators to follow as they track criminals and their assets. The BSA also requires reporting of suspicious transactions at financial institutions that could trigger investigations. FinCEN establishes these policies and regulations to deter and detect money laundering in partnership with the financial community.

Second, FinCEN provides intelligence and analysis for case support and furthers public understanding of money laundering. FinCEN's work is concentrated on combining information reported under the BSA with other government and public information. This information is then disclosed to law enforcement in the form of intelligence reports which are provided quickly to FinCEN's customers: federal, state, local and international investigators and regulators. The intelligence reports help them build investigations and plan new strategies to combat money laundering.

The initial contact point for participating agencies seeking tactical assistance is the FinCEN Tactical Response Division. Methods of transmitting requests to FinCEN included facsimile, mail, phone and electronic mail, depending on the procedures established by the requesting agency. A special form entitled "Request for Query/Analysis" has been designed for submitting requests. These forms can be obtained by contacting FinCEN at 1-800-SOS-BUCK.

For further information about FinCEN, please contact the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section or contact FinCEN directly at: Department of the Treasury, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, 2070 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 200, Vienna, VA 22182-2536. Phone: (703) 905-3520.

[cited in JM 9-79.200]