The AUSTRAC typologies and case studies report 2009 is the third in a series of reports AUSTRAC has produced to assist industry to fulfil its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations.

The 42 case studies within this report illustrate how legitimate businesses and financial channels have been misused for money laundering and other crimes such as drug importation and trafficking, tax evasion and credit card fraud. The report also highlights many 'red flag' indicators - examples of suspicious customer behaviour that may suggest illicit activities.

AUSTRAC uncovers an overseas investment scam defrauding Australian victims of millions of dollars.

AUSTRAC intelligence helped link Australian assets to suspects wanted by authorities in China on bribery and corruption charges.

AUSTRAC helps dismantle a remittance services network that was laundering money for organised crime syndicates in Australia.

AUSTRAC helped investigate suspicious financial transactions that led to the arrest of two offenders on charges of dealing with the proceeds of crime.

AUSTRAC helped authorities to investigate a tax avoidance scheme that used illegal trading known as ‘phoenixing’.

A joint investigation into a sophisticated money laundering scheme leads to 10 arrests and the disruption of an international crime syndicate.

AUSTRAC intelligence helped send seven members of an international crime syndicate to prison for importing illicit drugs and laundering money.

AUSTRAC supported an investigation into a drug trafficking syndicate suspected of supplying and distributing narcotics in Australia.

AUSTRAC sparked a criminal investigation into unregistered remitters that led to money laundering convictions and the forfeiture of millions.