Which stage is regarded as the first and most dangerous step in the money laundering process?

The first and most dangerous step in the money laundering process is placement. This stage involves the introduction of illicit funds into the financial system, making it the point where illegal money is most vulnerable to detection. During the placement stage, launderers typically attempt to distance the cash from its criminal origins by depositing it into banks, exchanging it for different currencies, or using it to purchase assets. The risk at this stage is heightened because financial institutions and authorities are on the lookout for suspicious transactions. If the funds are flagged as suspicious, law enforcement can trace them back to their illegal source, leading to potential legal consequences for the launderer.

The subsequent stages—layering and integration—are focused on further disguising the source of the funds and making them appear legitimate, thereby attempting to reduce the risk of detection. However, if the placement stage does not succeed without raising red flags, the entire money laundering process can be compromised.