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U.S. crackdown exposes real estate money laundering’s dark secrets

The U.S. Treasury's anticipated crackdown on real estate money laundering could reshape Miami's luxury property landscape.

As concerns over money laundering through real estate transactions grow, the U.S. Treasury Department is set to present a landmark rule that targets anonymous luxury-home purchases. This much-needed step aims to close the door on criminals that use real estate to hide ill-gotten gains. The rule, expected to be announced soon, will demand greater transparency from real estate professionals and could significantly impact Miami's luxury property market.

Unmasking ill-Gotten money laundering gains: Ending the era of anonymous real estate deals

For decades, criminal entities have exploited the lack of transparency in real estate to launder their proceeds. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen revealed that between 2015 and 2020, an estimated $2.3 billion was laundered through U.S. real estate.

The forthcoming rule will require real estate professionals, including title insurers, to provide information about the beneficial owners involved in cash purchases to combat this issue. This shift seeks to curb money laundering and increase accountability in the real estate sector.

A person showing liquidity of real estate

The road to transparency: Nationwide enforcement of reporting standards

Unlike the banking sector, the real estate industry has lacked uniform reporting standards to track the source of funds. The new rule, which is expected to replace the existing geographic targeting orders (GTOs) system in select cities, will expand GTOs across the nation.

First introduced in 2016, GTOs aimed to address anonymous luxury real estate purchases. By broadening their scope, this rule aims to make evading detection through property purchases outside GTO areas more difficult for criminals.

Stay ahead of the curve by staying informed about the U.S. Treasury's impactful move against money laundering in the real estate sector. Subscribe to Calle Ocho News' newsletter for the latest updates, including developments in Miami's luxury property market. If you're a small business owner in Miami, explore Calle Ocho News' advertising services to boost your reach.

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