ACAMS Atlanta Chapter June 2026 Virtual Event: Vape & Mirrors: Dirty Money in the Illegal E-Cigarette Trade

Overview

The rapid growth of the e‑cigarette market has created a thriving shadow industry an illicit vape ecosystem driven by counterfeit products, smuggling networks, tax evasion schemes, and sophisticated money‑movement tactics. As U.S. regulators sharpen their focus on illegal vape distribution, financial institutions are increasingly expected to identify the red flags, financial footprints, and criminal typologies tied to this expanding threat.

Join the ACAMS Atlanta Chapter for an eye‑opening session that uncovers the hidden world of illegal e‑cigarettes and the financial crime risks they present. This discussion will explore how illicit vape products enter U.S. markets, how proceeds are layered through complex channels, and how these networks intersect with broader criminal enterprises, including organized crime, trade‑based money laundering, and underground payment systems.

Attendees will gain insights into:

•    The structure of the illicit vape supply chain from overseas manufacturing to domestic distribution.
•    Key AML red flags, transaction patterns, and customer behaviors linked to illegal e‑cigarette activity.
•    Enforcement trends, regulatory expectations, and emerging risk indicators for financial institutions.
•    Practical steps compliance teams can take to enhance monitoring, strengthen controls, and detect suspicious behavior sooner.

Whether you support investigations, BSA/AML compliance, fraud prevention, or risk management, this session will equip you with the knowledge to better identify and disrupt the financial flows behind the illicit vape trade.

Schedule

Presentation Start: 1:00 pm
Presentation Ends: 2:00 pm

Credit

1 ACAMS Credit

*Please note that ACAMS credit for this virtual event is available to members of the Chapter only.