Case study two : Claws ( 2017-2022 ) 4 and Pill Mill Granny
Logline : “ A look at the life and crimes of five women who work at a Florida nail salon .” 5
Fictional financial crimes : Bribery / corruption , drug trafficking , transnational criminal organizations
Fictional red flags : Smurfing deposits , structuring and cash-intensive businesses ( nail salon and casino )
Real world counterpart : Sylvia Hofstetter
▪ 11 million opioid tablets distributed
▪ $ 360 million street value
▪ Maintained three pain clinics
― Case outcome : The defendant ( Sylvia Hofstetter ) was sentenced to more than 33 years in prison and required to pay $ 3.6 million in restitution 6
― Potential AML red flags : Source of funds and wealth , luxury purchases
Case study three : Dope ( 2015 ) 7 and dark web online marketplaces
Logline : “ Life changes for Malcolm , a geek who is surviving life in a tough neighborhood , after a chance invitation to an underground party leads him and his friends into a Los Angeles adventure .” 8
Fictional financial crimes : Bribery / corruption , cybercrime and drug trafficking
Fictional red flags : Nonprofit organization abuse Real world counterpart : Ross Ulbricht
▪ Dark web marketplace founded on libertarian values
▪ Started to sell magic mushrooms
▪ Expanded to other illicit activities , including drugs , weapons , organ harvesting and murder
▪ Over $ 1 billion in bitcoin transactions
― Case outcome : The defendant ( Ross Ulbricht ) sentenced to life in prison without parole 9
― Potential AML red flags : Purchases for virtual private networks , online storage and no apparent source of wealth
Conclusion
Today , when I am asked the dreaded question , I give a “ choose your own adventure ” response with “ Would you like the truth or a lie ?” I have found most people want both , and it starts out with the question “ Have you seen …” then becomes a realworld AFC discussion . With so many AFC typologies touching on crimes that have a real impact , people will share their experiences or observations with front businesses , corruption , scams , elder abuse , human trafficking or Paycheck Protection Program loan activity . The anecdotes are relevant and applicable to my AFC work to “ get into the mind ” of the bad actor and see examples of how these typologies and red flags can play out in real life .
Not every film or television show “ gets it right .” Perhaps this is how Grey ’ s Anatomy or Law & Order makes doctors and lawyers feel . But for the eagle-eyed financial crime professional , there are opportunities to observe and identify potential red flags encountered in real life .
Aminah Harris , CAMS , CFE , NJ , USA , aminah . harris @ gmail . com
1
“ Sons of Anarchy ,” IMBD , https :// www . imdb . com / title / tt1124373 /
2
Ibid .
3
“ Six Mongols Motorcycle Club Members Found Guilty of Racketeering Conspiracy , Including Murder ,” U . S . Department of Justice , September 19 , 2022 , https :// www . justice . gov / opa / pr / six-mongols-motorcycle-club-members-found-guiltyracketeering-conspiracy-including-murder ; “ Members of Tennessee Mongols Motorcycle Club charged in woman , man ’ s gruesome murder ,” Fox17 , September 19 , 2022 , https :// fox17 . com / news / local / members-of-tennessee-mongols-motorcycleclub-charged-in-woman-mans-gruesome-murder-clarksvillegangs-crime-alertnest
4
“ Claws ,” IMDB , https :// www . imdb . com / title / tt5640558 /
5
Ibid .
6
“ Pain Clinic Owner Sentenced for Role in Operating Pill Mills in Tennessee and Florida ,” U . S . Department of Justice , October 21 , 2020 , https :// www . justice . gov / opa / pr / pain-clinic-ownersentenced-role-operating-pill-mills-tennessee-and-florida ; Robert Holder , “ Judge sentences Knoxville pill mill operator to more than 33 years in prison , forfeiture of $ 3.6 million ,” WATE . com , October 21 , 2020 , https :// www . wate . com / news / local-news / judge-sentences-knoxville-pill-mill-operator-tomore-than-33-years-in-prison-forfeiture-of-3-6-million /; Hayley Fowler , “ Grandmother ’ s pill mills made millions in Tennessee , feds say . She ’ s going to prison ,” The Charlotte Observer , October 22 , 2020 , https :// www . charlotteobserver . com / news / nation-world / national / article246637503 . html
7
“ Dope ,” IMDB , https :// www . imdb . com / title / tt3850214 /
8
Ibid .
9
Nick Bilton , American Kingpin : The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road , 2017 .
ACAMS Today | December 2023 – February 2024 71