The concept of money laundering: a quest for legal definition

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the concept of money laundering and explores evolution expansion criminalization predicate offences within international anti-money (AML) regime over time. It proposes how limit size scope in designing a balanced legal definition. Design/methodology/approach opted content analysis focussed aspect AML under United Nations Conventions (Vienna, Palermo Corruption Convention) Financial Action Task Force Standards. Findings provides has evolved its definition expanded The is widely drafted with wide range from proceeds drug corruption, including terrorist financing acts; however, two phenomena – are quiet distinct apart. continual quite leads legality issues such as over-criminalization conflict principles criminal law. suggests an approach laundering. Practical implications includes for development defining through qualitative limitation consistent minimalist theory penalization Originality/value attains identified issue offence can be improved while considering rule law concerns.