Shadow Economies

The growth of the shadow economies can trigger a destructive cycle, with illicit funds stemming from fraud, cybercrime, drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and other serious crimes. Money generated in different forms of crime is laundered which is necessary to disguise ill-gotten gains. It facilitates crime, distorts markets, and has a devastating economic and social impact on citizens. Money laundering allows drug traffickers, fraudsters, human trafficking organizations, and corrupt officials, to operate and expand their criminal enterprises.