Money laundering often targets the manufacturing industry for several reasons. Some of the primary factors include:
Complex Supply Chains: Manufacturing often involves complex and multi-tiered supply chains. This complexity can make it easier to disguise the origins of illicit funds by blending them with legitimate transactions.
Large Transactions: Certain manufacturing operations may involve significant cash transactions. This makes it easier to launder money by blending it with legitimate cash flows.
Cross-Border Operations: International manufacturing operations may involve cross-border transactions that can be used to obfuscate the origins and destinations of illicit funds.
Asset Overvaluation/Undervaluation: Manufacturers might overvalue or undervalue their assets, such as equipment or inventory, to launder money. This could involve selling high-value items at inflated prices or undervaluing them to siphon off funds.