The Role of the FATF in the Fight against Money Laundering

Abstract

This thesis examines the concept of "money laundering" and analyzes the theoretical and actual role its regulation plays in dealing with the problem, focusing on the Financial Action Task Force for money laundering and assessing the compliance with its standards by the international community. After a discussion of laundering techniques and their evolution in history, the thesis examines the legal instruments employed in the fight against money laundering, both at regional and international level, underlying the importance of a common global effort; the FATF standards and recommendations are introduced, after an overview of the main characteristics of the FATF itself. The paper ends with an analysis of the compliance and effectiveness with the standards by the international community, examining the cultural and economic factors impacting on the local effectiveness of these measures among countries chosen