Nasdaq Verafin Report Finds that $750 Billion in Money Laundering and Illicit Funds Flowed Through Europe

Core Insights - Financial crime in Europe is extensive, with an estimated $750 billion in illicit funds flowing through the financial system, accounting for 2.3% of total European GDP [2] - Fraud losses in Europe are significant, estimated at $103.6 billion due to various scams and bank fraud scenarios [2] Cross-Border Money Laundering - Of the total funds laundered in Europe, $194.9 billion was moved across borders, representing over 25% of the total money laundering activity in the region for 2023 [3] - The increase in cross-border transactions globally highlights the importance of pan-European and international financial flows as vectors for illicit activity [3] Economic and Societal Impact - Financial crime activities, including elder abuse, fraud scams, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and terrorist financing, have serious economic and societal impacts across Europe [4] Call for Unified Action - Industry stakeholders are urged to collaborate to enhance the fight against financial crime, as criminals operate without regard for banks, borders, or regulations [5] - The report emphasizes the need for unified action to address both domestic and cross-border risks, fostering a safer financial system [5] Opportunities for Stakeholders - The report outlines opportunities for stakeholders in the European financial industry to align priorities for financial crime prevention and collaborate across sectors [5] - Innovative solutions and data-driven strategies are essential for improving anti-money laundering and fraud prevention efforts [5] Nasdaq Verafin's Role - Nasdaq Verafin provides cloud-based financial crime management solutions, supporting over 2,600 financial institutions with a collective $10 trillion in assets [6][8] - The company utilizes a unique consortium data approach to enhance counterparty risk insights and improve payments fraud detection [6] - AI-driven solutions from Nasdaq Verafin help automate compliance processes and deliver targeted analytics for specific financial crime typologies [6]