The US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) published an analysis of 67,540 Bank Secrecy Act reports filed between 2023 and 2025 that flagged nearly USD 5 billion linked to suspected human smuggling. Reports peaked in 2024 before declining 62% in 2025. Common indicators included unverifiable relationships between transaction originators and beneficiaries, payments along migration routes and excessive cash activity near the US southwest border. Money services businesses filed about 97% of the reports, often citing transactions outside customers’ usual patterns, suspected structuring and transfers along migration routes. Depository institutions accounted for only about 3% of reports but 61% of the total suspicious activity amount. Their filings highlighted structured cash transactions, funnel accounts funded by numerous individuals and travel agencies that may knowingly or unwittingly facilitate migrant travel.
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network2026-08-13
US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network identifies nearly USD 5 billion linked to suspected human smuggling
FinCEN identified nearly USD 5 billion linked to suspected human smuggling in 67,540 Bank Secrecy Act reports filed from 2023 through 2025. Money services businesses filed 97% of reports, while depository institutions accounted for 61% of the total suspicious activity amount despite filing only 3%.