What Is FinCEN?
FinCEN is the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau of the United States Department of Treasury. It was established in 1990 to combat money laundering and other financial crimes. FinCEN works with law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies to detect, prevent, and prosecute money laundering activities. The agency collects data from banks on suspicious transactions that may be related to criminal activity or terrorism financing. This information is then used by federal investigators to identify potential suspects and build cases against them.
In addition to collecting data from banks, FinCEN also issues advisories about emerging threats such as cybercrime or terrorist financing schemes. These advisories are intended to help financial institutions better understand their obligations under anti-money laundering laws so they can take appropriate steps to protect themselves from these risks. Additionally, FinCEN provides guidance for businesses on how best to comply with regulations designed to reduce the risk of money laundering and other illicit activities taking place within their organizations.