Background on the Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF)
The Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF) is a specialized financial intelligence unit under Mexico’s Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (SHCP). Its primary role is to detect, prevent, and mitigate financial crimes, including money laundering. The UIF collaborates with international organizations such as the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in the United States, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the Group of Action Financial (GAFI) to strengthen global efforts against financial crimes.
Investigation and Charges
In collaboration with the federal government’s security cabinet, the UIF conducted a months-long investigation that identified 13 casinos involved in high-risk financial operations. These establishments were found to engage in cash transactions, international money flows, and unsupervised digital platforms.
The investigation revealed patterns consistent with international money laundering typologies in casinos located in various Mexican states, including Jalisco, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora, Baja California, Estado de México, Chiapas, and the Ciudad de México.
Key findings from the investigation include:
- Large-scale cash movements
- International transfers to countries such as the United States, Romania, Albania, Malta, and Panama
- Use of digital platforms to disperse, conceal, and reinsert illicit funds into the Mexican and international financial systems
- Exploitation of digital platforms by individuals with economic profiles inconsistent with the amounts received, such as housewives, students, retirees, and unemployed individuals who transferred funds to the true owners, thereby legitimizing seemingly gambling-derived income
Next Steps
As a result of these findings, the UIF will file charges against the 13 casinos with the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) and notify the Procuraduría Fiscal de la Federación to follow up on potential crimes related to illicit resource operations (money laundering), criminal association, and fiscal offenses.
International Cooperation
These actions reaffirm Mexico’s commitment to international cooperation in preventing money laundering, working alongside FinCEN, OFAC, and GAFI. The SHCP aims to strengthen interinstitutional coordination, prevent criminal infiltration in vulnerable sectors, and bolster joint efforts with security and justice authorities to ensure casinos and betting platforms are not used by alleged organized crime groups.
Contextual Background
This move comes after the U.S. government accused three Mexican financial institutions—Vector, CIBanco, and Intercam—of money laundering in June. These institutions ceased operations following the accusations, causing turmoil within Mexico’s financial sector.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is involved? The UIF, under Mexico’s Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público, is filing charges against 13 casinos for alleged money laundering.
- Why are these casinos being targeted? The investigation found high-risk financial operations, including cash transactions, international money flows, and unsupervised digital platforms.
- Which organizations are collaborating in this effort? The UIF is working with FinCEN, OFAC, and GAFI to strengthen global anti-money laundering efforts.
- What are the potential charges? The UIF will file charges related to illicit resource operations (money laundering), criminal association, and fiscal offenses with the FGR.
