Is Amazon used for money laundering?
An apparent fraud scheme has been uncovered that involves scammers’ use of CreateSpace, Amazon’s self-publishing service, to sell fake books under stolen identities.
What is considered money laundering?
Money laundering involves disguising financial assets so they can be used without detection of the illegal activity that produced them. Through money laundering, the criminal transforms the monetary proceeds derived from criminal activity into funds with an apparently legal source.
What is the purpose of money laundering?
Because the objective of money laundering is to get the illegal funds back to the individual who generated them, launderers usually prefer to move funds through stable financial systems. Money laundering activity may also be concentrated geographically according to the stage the laundered funds have reached.
Are Fake books sold on Amazon?
Bloomberg reported that last year Amazon was responsible for a whopping 7.7% of all retail sales. Their share of the book market is significantly higher, with Amazon reportedly selling over half the books in the United States. Unfortunately, a number of the books sold on the platform are counterfeit.
When did Amazon buy CreateSpace?
In 2005, Amazon bought CreateSpace while developing its existing self-publishing service, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
Is it okay to buy counterfeit books?
Please note: Counterfeit textbooks are illegal. It’s inferior, it causes publishers to lose millions of dollars in unsold original college books, and it’s never right. Students want to cut down costs, and in doing so, buy affordable textbooks.
Do pirated books have ISBN number?
They do not have the identifying marks of the publisher: To seem authentic, the pirated books will carry all the information of the original book, including the edition number and the copyright details.
Will I go to jail for money laundering?
How Long Could I Go To Prison For If I Am Convicted Of Money Laundering? The penalties for money laundering include up to 14 years in jail or a large fine, or both. The proceeds will also be subject to a civil or criminal confiscation order.
What is the average sentence for money laundering?
The average sentence length for money laundering offenders was 67 months. laundering offenders has decreased (from 28.2% in fiscal year 2013 to 25.1% in fiscal year 2017). offenders received a sentence below the guideline range because the government sponsored the below range sentence.
How do criminals launder cash?
After getting hold of illegally acquired funds through theft, bribery and corruption, financial criminals move the cash from its source. This is where the criminal money is ‘washed’ and disguised by being placed into a legitimate financial system, such as in offshore accounts.