In the context of money laundering, what is layering primarily used for?

Layering is a crucial step in the process of money laundering, primarily used to obscure the origins of illegal funds. This phase involves executing a series of complex financial transactions designed to confuse and cloud the trail of money, making it difficult for authorities to trace the initial source of the illicit funds.

In practice, this can include transferring money between different banks, converting cash into financial instruments, or moving funds across various jurisdictions. The objective is to create a convoluted path that separates the financial assets from their criminal origins, thereby enhancing the money launderer's ability to integrate these funds into the legitimate economy without raising suspicions.

Layering does not focus on identifying beneficiaries or ensuring transaction legitimacy; rather, it prioritizes obfuscation and deception to evade detection by law enforcement. Thus, it supports the overarching goal of money laundering, which is to make illicit funds appear legal.