How to Launder Money A guide for law enforcement, prosecutors and policymakers
Money laundering is as old as money itself – and yet the laws designed to prevent it are as ineffective as they have ever been.
Today’s anti-money laundering laws stop only a staggering 0.05 per cent of global illicit financial flows, while significantly increasing the regulatory burden on legitimate businesses and consumers. Fraudsters and criminals stay several steps ahead of regulators, while it often costs governments more to execute forfeitures than they reap from them. In short, it’s abundantly clear that these laws, though set up with the best of intentions, are not working.
Billions move around the world in cash, gold and other assets every day without a trace. How to Launder Money explains how and why, breaking down in delicious detail the mechanics of money laundering – not to enable wrongdoing but to illuminate it, to showcase the bent levers of finance and how they are pulled. While acknowledging the challenges faced by law enforcement, it also provides concrete recommendations on how to reduce the crime associated with money laundering, empowering readers, professionals and policymakers to recognise vulnerabilities and understand what truly works in the fight against financial crime.
The criminals already know how to launder money; this is, in part, their inside story. This book is for the rest of us, who want to know how the laws that are supposed to protect us are in reality doing more damage than ever before.
*All George Cottrell’s proceeds from the book will be donated to charitable causes.*
Reviews
“The authors explore the many ways money laundering has been undertaken, often with a touch of humour. Their explanation will expose nothing to the launderers; the book’s purpose is to inform the enforcers and enable them to do their jobs better – and to entertain us. The large number of techniques presented by the authors is impressive and their accounts of money laundering are fascinating.”
Warren Coats, president of Economic Consulting, former adviser to several central banks and former economist at the International Monetary Fund
“This witty, erudite romp through the history of money laundering takes the reader from ancient China to Al Capone to cryptocurrency. It’s a panorama of fraud, from the brilliant to the mind-bogglingly stupid. Highly recommended for students of finance, banking and law and anyone who likes to marvel at human criminal ingenuity.”
Nina Burleigh, New York Times-bestselling author and adjunct professor at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute
“This is not another mere guide or handbook but a definitive in-depth exploration of all aspects and dimensions of the art of money laundering. I congratulate the authors on successfully writing a seriously entertaining book that hooks the reader from introduction to epilogue as tenaciously as a le Carré thriller. Essential reading for all professionals.”
David Probert, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence expert
“A rip-roaring ride through stealing, scrubbing and stashing.”
Jamison Firestone, human rights and anti-corruption lawyer
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- Hardback, 400 pages
- ISBN: 9781837360406
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17 February 2026
Available to pre-order - £25.00
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- ISBN: 9781837360413
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17 February 2026
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