There is no generally valid definition of financial crime. At a minimum, it includes money laundering, organized crime, and the financing of terrorism.

Assets originating from crime are generally considered "dirty". Criminals therefore have an interest in safe methods of laundering the stench of the past from criminally acquired money. Money laundering is the process of disguising the criminal origin of assets and reintroducing them unnoticed into legal economic circulation.

As special characteristics, organized crime exhibits corporate-like structures and the goal of large-scale enrichment or considerable influence on politics or business.

The phenomenon of terrorism has already existed for a long time. Nevertheless, there is still no generally applicable definition. The financing of terrorism is characterized by using assets - which may originate from legal sources - for purposes of terrorism. The fight against the financing of terrorism has gained particular prominence since the terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001.