4 Comments
User's avatar
Julie's avatar

Really interesting!

Erin Finzen's avatar

I haven't read one of your post in a while. More of a reflection of me not you. Not sure why I read this one except I felt drawn too. Your writing as always very impressive. I especially loved your citations. ❤️.

Kate Kern Mundie's avatar

This is very interesting. I have wanted to understand how fine art has been used in money laundering.

Jon Cooper's avatar

Thank you! And thanks for reading and commenting, Kate!

White collar crime is not something I’m very well versed in, to be fair. But from what I understand, the correct way to answer the question “how is fine art used in money laundering” would be “several ways”.

overpricing & underpricing

shell companies and other intermediaries

private warehouses and freeports

collateral for legitimate loans

resale

Basically, if the launderer can purchase a piece of art with “dirty” money, and sell it back for the same amount (or more), they have successfully cleaned their money.

Here are some far better explanations/explorations:

https://www.artandobject.com/news/how-money-laundering-works-art-world

https://boldergroup.com/insights/blogs/money-laundering-in-the-art-market/