Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Typologies

Human trafficking and migrant smuggling are serious predicate-crime areas for AML/CFT. This page provides defensive typology context and source mapping only.

1. Scope #

FATF materials cover financial flows from human trafficking, including sexual exploitation, forced labour and organ trafficking indicators. FATF also covers ML/TF risks linked to migrant smuggling.

2. AML relevance #

Financial indicators may appear through account behaviour, payments, business fronts, transport or travel-related activity, recruitment patterns, cash activity and repeated transfers. Interpretation requires care because vulnerable people and legitimate migration activity must not be unfairly treated as suspicious.

3. Defensive risk signals #

Area Defensive risk signal
Account use Activity inconsistent with stated income or purpose
Business front Recruitment, travel, accommodation, transport or labour business with unexplained flows
Payment pattern Repeated transfers involving many individuals or unusual corridors
Customer context Control by third party, inconsistent explanation, signs of coercion or exploitation in available records
Public sources Law enforcement, court, regulator or credible media links to exploitation or smuggling

4. Evidence cautions #

Do not assume guilt from nationality, migration status, poverty, occupation or travel corridor alone. Use source-linked facts, combined indicators and reviewer judgement.

5. Source basis #