Die Möglichkeit der Risikominimierung von Geldwäsche und Terrorismusfinanzierung durch die verpflichtende Einführung einer einheitlichen Bargeldobergrenze im Nichtfinanzsektor innerhalb der Europäischen Union

Within this research project, the restriction of whether cash transactions within the non-financial sector through the introduction of mandatory cash ceilings can contribute to minimizing the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing within the European Union was investigated.

At the time this dissertation was written, no valid statements were available as to whether and in what form the restriction of cash transactions through cash ceilings can represent suitable money laundering prevention measures. This uncertainty is also reflected in the different designs of the cash ceilings of the EU Member States, which although an effective fight against money laundering requires a basic uniform approach, these proceed inconsistently. A literature analysis carried out in this context with regard to the national and international state of research, has shown the existence of a research gap and the high relevance of the topic for practice.

In order to close this research gap, a survey was first conducted based on an extensive theoretical analysis of the relevant topic areas and the theoretical questions generated by this, in which employees mainly from the compliance or financial crime departments of credit institutions from various countries took part.

In order to give the research a qualitative depth and at the same time minimize the risk of overlooking important nuances, expert interviews were carried out in the next step of the research project, based on the knowledge gained so far. Experts from law enforcement agencies, politicians who have points of contact with the topic of money laundering as well as proven money laundering experts from the field were contacted for the series of interviews.

Consequently, this dissertation has first shown that even in a subject area of money laundering and terrorist financing and its prevention, which is subject to an improbable dynamic of change, intensive scientific research should be carried out before implementing money laundering prevention measures in order to assess the effectiveness of the measure.

With regard to the problem, the essential core statement could, as expected, only be formulated on the basis of the findings generated by the expert interviews, according to which it can be assumed that alone and in isolation, the introduction of a hard cash restriction within the non-financial sector will not achieve the desired effect of a money laundering prevention measure, if a wide range of flanking measures are not initiated at the same time. These measures are already comprehensively presented in this dissertation as recommendations for action in practice.

In conclusion, it can be said that the results and findings of this dissertation can be considered as an important empirical contribution to practice and research, with regard to the problem described above.