What is the United States Code 1956?

Asked by: Prof. Quinton Bradtke  |  Last update: February 13, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (19 votes)

18 U.S. Code § 1956 is the federal law criminalizing money laundering, specifically prohibiting financial transactions intended to conceal the origins or nature of illegally obtained funds (proceeds from "specified unlawful activities") or to promote further criminal activity, with penalties up to 20 years in prison and fines. It covers domestic and international laundering, including "concealment," "promotion," "structuring," and "tax evasion" aspects, targeting those who knowingly deal with tainted money.

What is Section 1956 of the US Code?

§1956 criminalizes financial transactions that satisfy the conventional understanding of money laundering-namely, transactions intended “to conceal or disguise the nature, the location, the source, the ownership, or the control of the proceeds of specified unlawful activity.” 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(B)(i).

What is the difference between 18 USC 1956 and 1957?

The most significant difference from § 1956 prosecutions is the intent requirement. Under § 1957, the four intents have been replaced with a $10,000 threshold amount for each non-aggregated transaction and the requirement that a financial institution be involved in the transaction.

How much money is considered money laundering in the US?

Money laundering is more about the intent than the amount of money, but you will likely be investigated for money laundering if you bring more than $10,000 in cash into or out of the United States, deposit $10,000 or more in cash into a bank account, or if you spend more than $300,000 in cash on a real estate purchase.

What are the sentencing guidelines for 18 USC 1956?

to avoid a transaction reporting requirement under State or Federal law, shall be sentenced to a fine of not more than $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved in the transportation, transmission, or transfer, whichever is greater, or imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or both.

Understanding Federal Money Laundering Charges: Sections 1956 and 1957 Explained | Tarras Defense

35 related questions found

What is the $3000 rule in banking?

The "3000 bank rule" refers to U.S. Treasury regulations under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requiring financial institutions to record specific information for certain transactions over $3,000, primarily to combat money laundering; this includes collecting details like customer ID, transaction amounts, and beneficiary info for wire transfers and purchases of monetary instruments (like money orders) with currency, with records kept for five years. It ensures banks verify identity and maintain records for large cash-based transactions or fund transfers, with different rules for purchases of instruments vs. electronic transfers. 

How much money is considered a federal offense?

§ 641 makes it a crime to steal "any record, voucher, money, or thing of value of the United States or of any department or agency thereof." If the property stolen is worth less than $1,000, the statute authorizes fines and a maximum prison term of one year.

How much cash can I put in the bank without raising a red flag?

You can deposit any amount of cash without being automatically flagged if it's under $10,000 in a single transaction, but banks must report deposits of $10,000 or more to the IRS via a Currency Transaction Report (CTR). While large, legitimate deposits are fine, making multiple deposits to stay under $10,000 (structuring) is illegal and triggers Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), leading to potential account freezes or law enforcement scrutiny, so transparency with your bank is best for large sums. 

What state has the most money laundering?

States with the Highest SARs

The states with the highest SAR counts are geographically diverse. The top five are Delaware (2,352 per 10,000 people), South Dakota (1,967), Utah (1,101), Ohio (542), and North Carolina (464). So why is Delaware's suspicious activity count so much higher than other states?

What are the three main offences of money laundering?

The three main money laundering offences (or prohibited acts) under Part 7 of POCA are:

  • concealing, disguising, converting, transferring, or removing criminal property (s327)
  • arranging or facilitating criminal property (s328)
  • acquiring, using or possessing criminal property (s329)

What amount of money is considered suspicious?

Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), financial institutions are required to assist U.S. government agencies in detecting and preventing money laundering, and: Keep records of cash purchases of negotiable instruments; File reports of cash transactions exceeding $10,000 (daily aggregate amount); and.

What are the three ways that money is laundered?

The three types (or stages) of money laundering are Placement, where illegal cash is introduced into the financial system; Layering, involving complex transactions to obscure the source; and Integration, where the now "clean" money is returned to the criminal as legitimate funds, often through assets or businesses. These stages are sequential steps to disguise the origin of illicit funds, turning crime proceeds into usable wealth.
 

What is proof of money laundering?

Legal Definition and Elements of Money Laundering

To convict, the prosecution must prove three elements: the act of concealing the nature or source of illicit funds, intent to further unlawful activity, and knowledge of the funds' illegal origin. Each element must meet the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Is $5000 considered money laundering?

A $5,000 transaction * can* be considered money laundering if done with criminal intent or knowledge that funds are from illegal activities, especially if it's part of a series of transactions (e.g., over $5,000 in 7 days, or $25,000 in 30 days under some laws) to disguise illicit proceeds, but simply depositing $5,000 legally earned money isn't inherently illegal, though it might trigger bank scrutiny. The key is intent and the context of illegal activity, not just the amount, though specific reporting thresholds for banks exist (like $10,000 for IRS cash reporting).
 

How to tell if someone is money laundering?

Signs of money laundering include unusual transaction patterns (rapid movement, large cash amounts, complex structures, high-risk jurisdictions), customer behavior (evasiveness, providing false info, reluctance to ID), and inconsistent business activity (e.g., cash-heavy businesses with unexplained high turnover or losses). Key indicators involve using shell companies, third-party payments, virtual assets, and frequent, unexplained fund movements.
 

What is the most common reason for money laundering?

Criminals partake in money laundering because their criminal activities generate large amounts of illegal funds which cannot be explained or hidden. These illegal funds need to be disguised as being legitimately obtained, so that criminals can access them without detection and reprisal from relevant authorities.

Which bank is known for money laundering?

HSBC – The Drug Cartel Money Laundering Case

In 2012, global banking giant HSBC admitted to allowing Mexican drug cartels and sanctioned entities to launder nearly $881 million through its U.S. subsidiary. The case became one of the most notorious examples of compliance failure in modern banking.

Who controls money laundering in the USA?

FinCEN administers the BSA and serves as the U.S. Financial Intelligence Unit. FinCEN has the authority to issue BSA regulations, examine financial institutions for compliance, and pursue enforcement actions for AML/CFT related violations. FinCEN is responsible for the implementation of the AML Act of 2020.

Who is the most famous money launderer?

Al Capone. One of the most famous mobsters in the United States was Al Capone, who also happened to be a master money launderer. Al Capone earned millions of dollars on his illegal bootlegging business and washed the money through a series of businesses. His earliest businesses were laundromats.

Can I withdraw $20,000 in cash from my bank?

Yes, you can withdraw $20,000 from a bank, but you'll need to go to a teller (not an ATM) and should give the bank advance notice (a day or two) as they likely won't have that much cash on hand, and be prepared for them to file a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) with the government because it's over the $10,000 reporting threshold, though this is standard for legal large withdrawals. 

Can I deposit $50,000 cash in a bank daily?

Cash deposit limit in your Savings Account

As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, you can deposit up to ₹50,000 into your Savings Account without furnishing your PAN card details. However, if you want to deposit a higher amount, you will need to provide your PAN card details.

What to say to the bank when withdrawing cash?

They will want to make sure that you're not being scammed. If you're honest and just tell them you don't trust banks, and assure them that you're not being coerced and are aware of the risks of keeping large sums of cash at home then I'm sure they will allow you to take your money.

Is $500 considered a felony?

Theft can escalate from a misdemeanor to a felony based on the value of the stolen property. This distinction carries significant legal implications and penalties. Each state sets its own threshold for what constitutes felony theft. These thresholds can range from $500 to $2,500, depending on local laws.

How many months is 5 years in the feds?

Unless Joe qualifies for the safety valve or substantial assistance, the judge MUST give Joe a prison sentence of 5 years (60 months). The longer mandatory minimum (60 months) trumps the shorter guideline sentence (37-46 months).

How much of your sentence do you have to do in the feds?

In federal court you will have to serve 85% of your sentence if convicted of federal charges. Thus, if you are sentenced to 10 years in prison, you will actually serve 8.5 years in prison. However, for most state felony convictions, you will only serve 50% of your actual sentence.