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The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce “Financial Investigations Training,” presented by Professional Law Enforcement Training (PLET).
Description:
This course on money laundering and digital payment methods is designed to equip law enforcement officers with essential skills to detect, investigate, and dismantle money laundering operations tied to drug trafficking. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the financial processes that support criminal organizations and the methods used to launder illicit proceeds. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical exercises, officers will explore how to identify fraudulent business practices and conduct financial interviews aimed at uncovering hidden assets.
The course will cover the different stages of money laundering, from placement to integration, as well as various techniques employed by drug trafficking organizations to conceal proceeds from illegal activities. Officers will learn about indirect accounting methods for tracing illicit funds and how to apply financial search warrants to seize criminal assets. Additionally, participants will examine case studies of notable domestic and international money laundering operations, with a special focus on modern-day digital payment systems like Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, and Zelle, which are increasingly used by criminals to evade detection.
By the end of the course, law enforcement officers will have practical knowledge of how to conduct financial investigations, work with multi-agency teams, and employ tactical methods for gathering and analyzing financial evidence. The interactive exercises and case studies will ensure that participants leave with real-world skills to counter the sophisticated money laundering operations that fuel drug trafficking organizations.
Topics to be covered include:
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Money Laundering Overview
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Financial Institutions and Bank Secrecy Act
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FINCEN Oversight and Compliance
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Traditional Money Laundering Activities
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Establishing Shell Companies
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Smurfing Activities
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Trade-Based Money Laundering
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Digital Financial Services
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Cryptocurrency Regulations
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Investigative Analysis Tools
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In-Depth Case Studies
Who Should Attend:
This training is only open to sworn law enforcement officers and civilian law enforcement analysts.
Partial In-Service Credit:
Partial In-Service Credit (PIC) for Virginia law enforcement officers will be available.
Travel, Lodging, and Meals:
Participants are responsible for transportation, meals, lodging arrangements, and related expenses.
Training Details:
Check-in will begin at 7:30 am.
Training begins at 8:00 am and concludes at 5:00 pm each day.
Cost and Registration:
There is no cost to attend this training; however, pre-registration is required.
Please note that the DCJS registration system does not have the capacity to sort eligible from ineligible registrants. Therefore, anyone who registers will receive a confirmation. It is the responsibility of the DCJS-assigned course coordinator to review the roster and make a final determination on acceptance into the course. Denied registrants will be notified via the email address provided during registration.