Predicate offenses are crimes that generate proceeds which may subsequently be laundered.
FATF standards and national AML laws define a wide range of serious crimes as predicate offenses.
Bribery and corruption are among the most common predicate offenses, often involving large illicit payments that require laundering to disguise their origin. Fraud, including financial, consumer, and corporate fraud, is another primary source of illicit proceeds and is universally recognized as a predicate offense.
Organized crime and racketeering encompass coordinated criminal activities designed to generate ongoing illegal income, making them central predicate offenses under AML frameworks.
While arson may be considered a serious crime in some jurisdictions, and assault is generally not associated with financial gain, AML regimes focus primarily on crimes that generate substantial proceeds. Therefore, bribery, fraud, and organized crime are the most consistently recognized predicate offenses across jurisdictions.

Adverse media screening is an important component of customer due diligence, but reliance on general search engines presents several limitations recognized by AML practitioners and regulators.
Search engines typically provide unstructured data, which makes it difficult to systematically analyze and document results for compliance purposes. Information may be incomplete, duplicated, or lack context.
The process is also time-consuming and highly manual, particularly for institutions screening large customer populations. Manual reviews increase operational burden and introduce inconsistency and human error.
Additionally, search engine algorithms vary, meaning results can differ depending on timing, location, and personalization, leading to inconsistent outcomes that are difficult to audit or reproduce.
While language coverage and relevance may be challenges, the most critical limitations relate to lack of structure, inefficiency, and inconsistent results.

Human trafficking schemes often involve victims'wages being deposited into accounts controlled by traffickers. Multiple payroll deposits followed by immediate cash withdrawals may indicate exploitation. Financial institutions should also review unusual travel, shared contact details, and high-volume low-value transactions linked to vulnerable individuals.