Trade-Based Money Laundering Training

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Deliver on Ethena or your LMS (SCORM)

Course Summary

Trade-based money laundering hides illicit funds inside everyday import and export deals, using techniques like over-invoicing, phantom shipments, and mislabeled goods to move value across borders. It is one of the hardest schemes to spot, and the people closest to the paperwork are often the ones who can catch it first. This Ethena course shows your team how trade-based money laundering (TBML) works and how to flag it before it slips through.

Built for anyone who touches trade finance, payments, or supply chain documents, this training covers the fundamentals of anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT), the US legal framework from the Bank Secrecy Act to the AML Act of 2020, and the specific red flags that signal a trade-based scheme. Learners will gain practical knowledge around:

How TBML works, from over- and under-invoicing to phantom shipments
AML and CFT obligations and the US legal landscape
Emerging risks across digital payments and global supply chains
Suspicious patterns and behaviors worth a second look
What’s at stake when money laundering goes unreported

Included Modules:

Introduction to Anti-Money Laundering

A level set on why anti-money laundering (AML) training and awareness matter, including real-world examples and how everyday employees can encounter laundering closer than they expect.

AML and CFT: What You Need to Know

Explains the core concepts behind anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT), including the three stages of laundering and why the two sets of controls work together.

TBML: Recognizing the Risk

Breaks down how trade-based money laundering disguises illicit funds within legitimate trade, covering common techniques like over- and under-invoicing, multiple invoicing, and misrepresented goods or shipments.

Emerging Risks

Highlights newer vulnerabilities that launderers exploit, including digital payments, virtual assets, and complex global supply chains that move value across borders in new ways.

AML Legal Landscape

Outlines key US money laundering laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act (recordkeeping and reporting such as CTRs and SARs), the USA PATRIOT Act (expanded due-diligence and correspondent-banking controls), and the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (which modernized the BSA and added beneficial-ownership reporting), and notes how global standards from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) inform national trade finance rules.

Identifying Suspicious Patterns and Behaviors

Shows how to recognize red flags in transactions, documentation, and counterparties, and explains when and how to escalate concerns, including through suspicious activity reporting.

What's at Stake: Money Laundering

Reviews the real consequences of money laundering, from regulatory penalties and reputational harm to the broader criminal activity these schemes help fund.

Why is this training important for workplaces?

Anti-money laundering (AML) is crucial for maintaining the integrity of financial systems and preventing illegal activities. Implementing strong AML measures protects businesses from reputational damage, legal consequences, and financial losses. It ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and enhances trust among clients, investors, and stakeholders. By understanding and actively addressing money laundering risks, organizations can foster a safe and secure environment, safeguard their assets, and contribute to the overall stability of the financial ecosystem.

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