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Anti-money laundering multi-agency operation

There had been a number of instances where betting receipts had been provided as proof of the 'legitimacy' of cash that had been seized by police under Section 327 Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (opens in new tab).

Intelligence suggested that some offenders would carry betting receipts as insurance just in case they were stopped by police and their cash seized.

Multi-agency visits to bookmakers in the Salford and Cheetham Hill areas gathered information on:

  • physical security
  • anti-money laundering policy and procedures
  • staff training and knowledge
  • data on monitored customers
  • know your customer (KYC) understanding/intelligence.

The aim was to support the industry and to raise awareness of duties under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 at grassroots level and improve local links between industry employees and public bodies.

A monitored customer in one of the premises was identified for further enquiries. His ‘drop’ (money gambled/lost, which also includes recycled winnings) during the previous 12 months was in excess of £1m. He appeared to have lost approximately £100,000 during a period of only four weeks. Subsequent enquiries identified that this individual was visiting another bookmaker in the north of Manchester.

This individual was known to police to have involvement with an organised crime group network involved in drugs. Subsequent joint activity by the police and the Gambling Commission resulted in:

For the bookmaker:

For the individuals:

  • police arrested and questioned the man’s girlfriend who was bailed on suspicion of money laundering
  • arrest warrant for the man was issued.

For the local police:

  • valuable intelligence regarding organised crime group members living and visiting bookmakers in the same area, the frequency of their visits to bookmakers and their level of spend.
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Last updated: 30 November 2022

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