Financial institutions flagged nearly $5 billion in suspicious activity possibly linked to human smuggling over a three-year period starting in 2023, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said today in an analysis of Bank Secrecy Act reports.
Suspected human smuggling-related BSA reports peaked in 2024 with 29,266 reports before decreasing 62% to 11,018 reports in 2025, FinCEN said. Approximately 97% of reports were filed by money services businesses, with subjects primarily located in the U.S. and Latin America. While depository institutions filed the remaining 3%, their reports accounted for approximately 61%, or $3 billion, of the total amount.
Depository institution reports highlighted several typologies indicative of potential human smuggling-related financial activity, such as suspected structuring of cash transactions, funnel accounts receiving funds from numerous individuals, and travel agencies arranging travel for migrants, FinCEN said.
“Many human smuggling networks generate profit for larger transnational criminal organizations, including Mexico-based drug cartels,” FinCEN Director Gacki said. “Suspicious activity flagged by financial institutions provides critical information, and we will continue to work closely with both the private sector and law enforcement to dismantle human smuggling networks and protect our borders.”
