ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book deals with the individual financial crimes of money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, insider dealing, market abuse and corruption. It outlines what the offence is, including relevant actus Reus, mens rea and defence elements. The book looks at the sentencing options and policy applicable to each financial crime. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) offers a similar definition, stating that it is any offence involving money laundering, fraud or dishonesty, or market abuse. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) goes further by stating that it can refer to any non-violent crime that generally results in a financial loss. Despite concerted efforts by national and international agencies such as the United Nations, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the IMF it is impossible to accurately quantify the true extent of financial crime/financial abuse which is taking place on a daily basis around the globe.
