Mexico's Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, through the Financial Intelligence Unit and in coordination with the Mexican Banking Association, issued a guide for obliged entities in the financial sector on monitoring customer and user transaction profiles in cases linked to extortion. The measure is intended to strengthen detection and mitigation of money laundering risks connected to extortion by giving financial institutions red flags, analytical indicators, monitoring recommendations, risk assessment guidance and mitigating measures for use in their control frameworks. The guide draws on Financial Intelligence Unit analysis that identified transaction patterns associated with extortion schemes operated from inside penitentiary centres, including incoming electronic transfers with recurring payment references and the rapid movement of funds through mobile applications, which accounted for about 70% of the operations observed in the case analysed. Bank compliance officers have 60 calendar days to submit the guide to their Communication and Control Committees for approval and adoption, followed by a further 60 calendar days to implement the relevant elements in their analysis and reporting processes in line with each institution's risk model.
Ministry of Finance & Public Credit (Mexico)2026-05-25
Mexico's Ministry of Finance and Public Credit issues extortion transaction monitoring guide for financial sector obliged entities
Mexico’s Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, through the Financial Intelligence Unit and in coordination with the Mexican Banking Association, issued a guide for financial sector obliged entities on monitoring customer transaction profiles in extortion cases. The guide aims to strengthen detection and mitigation of money laundering risks by providing red flags, analytical indicators, monitoring recommendations, risk assessment guidance and mitigating measures, drawing on observed patterns such as recurring electronic transfers and rapid fund movements via mobile applications.