18th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Illicit Finance – Illicit Finance
Professor of Practice, William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, National Defense University
June 30, 2021
Panama City, Panama
This panelist focused on the global illicit economy, in which money derives from:
- Counterfeit goods
- Drug trafficking
- Illegal logging
- Human trafficking
- Illegal mining
- IUU Fishing
- Illegal Wildlife trade
- Crude Oil Theft
- Weapons trafficking
- Organ trafficking
- Trafficking cultural property
She later discussed what illicit goods go north and which ones go south. Drugs ad people go north-bound, and money and arms go south-bound.
Understanding Threat Financing Flows:
- Source:
- Donors
- Licit Activities
- Criminal Activities
- Methods:
- Trading banking systems
- Informal sectors
- Virtual
- Uses:
- Operations
- Recruiting
- Maintenance of networks
- How to combat:
- Expand role of security forces
- Monitor changes
- Strengthen the presence of government
- Follow money/curb illicit financial flows
- Detecting
- Preventing
- Prosecuting
31st Parliamentary Intelligence-Security forum, Washington, DC, December 9-10, 2025
Honored to follow the discussions from the 31st Parliamentary Intelligence & Security Forum in Washington, D.C., held on December 9–10, 2025. This global gathering highlights the urgent issues shaping today’s…
31st Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Illicit Finance
Mr. Dan Swift discussed how China is assisting Myanmar’s military in developing digital payment systems, including a central bank digital currency (CBDC), which could enable illicit finance flows at a…
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Ms. Lilita Infante discussed the concept of the “digital kingpin,” criminals who exploit technology, particularly cryptocurrency, to scale their operations globally, likening them to modern-day Pablo Escobars. Drawing on over…
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Mr. John Walsh began by acknowledging the longevity and importance of the forum, emphasizing that sustained relationships and collaboration across nations are key to its success. Drawing on his Wall…
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Honorable Michael McCaul opened by thanking Congressman Pittinger and the organizers for convening international parliamentarians, highlighting the forum as an important venue to discuss emerging global risks and shared challenges….
27th Parliamentary-Intelligence Security Forum – 27th Parliamentary-Intelligence Security Forum –
Hon. John Cassara addressed a critical question: how effective is the global fight against international money laundering? His assessment was blunt—despite decades of effort and enormous spending, results remain deeply…
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Hon. Jerome Beaumont thanked the organizers and explained that he represents the Egmont Group, a global network linking 177 financial intelligence units (FIUs). He underscored that financial crime accounts for…
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Hon. John Walsh emphasized that terrorist financing, organized crime, and cybercrime should be treated as forms of illicit activity rather than rigidly separated by labels. While terrorist groups may be…
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Mariano Federici discussed the persistent issue of corruption. He highlighted corruption’s dual nature as both a threat and a vulnerability to a country’s stability. Corruption generates illicit proceeds, jeopardizing financial…
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Hon. Elżbieta Franków-Jaśkiewicz highlighted the severe and extensive impacts of illicit finance on a global scale, affecting businesses, economies, and nations. She emphasized the crucial role financial intelligence units (FIUs)…
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Mr. Tom Cardamone highlighted the organization’s focus on researching illicit financial flows, trade, money laundering, and transnational crime. He emphasized the significant challenges posed by counterfeiting and illegal trade, amounting…
26th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Illicit Finance
Hon. Jerome Beaumont acknowledged the vast and growing scope of illicit finance, quoting United Nations estimates of two to five trillion USD laundered annually. Hon. Beaumont delved into the challenges…
