MONEY LAUNDERING · SELF-LAUNDERING · ASSET CRIMES

Italian Money Laundering Defense Lawyer in Milan

Specialist criminal defense on money laundering (art. 648-bis c.p.), self-laundering (art. 648-ter.1 c.p.) and connected economic-asset crimes. Intervention within the first hours of SOS reporting. Confidential consultation within 24 hours.

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+39 02 9684 6010 WhatsApp

Milano Centro Absolute Confidentiality Experience under Leg. Decree 231

The situations we face every day

The Firm assists entrepreneurs and directors daily in contexts of high criticality.

Bank SOS report forwarded to UIF

A suspicious transaction report (SOS) can translate into criminal proceedings within 60-90 days: preventive defense is essential.

Self-laundering from tax crime proceeds

Reinvestment of funds from tax evasion into economic activities can constitute self-laundering under art. 648-ter.1 c.p., with penalties up to 8 years.

Equivalent seizure on accounts and assets

The prosecutor can seize bank accounts, real estate, company shareholdings up to the crime amount: immediate intervention within 10 days.

International letters rogatory and offshore assets

Cases with offshore assets, accounts in Switzerland, Luxembourg, Dubai or cryptocurrencies require experience in international judicial cooperation.

How we protect you

Immediate post-SOS intervention

Analysis of reported transactions, verification of defensive standing and preparation of documentation supporting the legitimacy of financial flows.

Challenge of preventive seizure

Review at the Liberty Court with analysis of lawful origin of funds and challenge of the subjective element of the predicate offense.

Defense on money laundering's mens rea

Money laundering requires specific intent of concealment: the defense demonstrates absence of awareness of the illicit origin of funds.

Management of internationally complex cases

Coordination with foreign lawyers, management of letters rogatory, analysis of bilateral agreements and strategies for protecting foreign assets.

Money laundering (art. 648-bis c.p.) is punished from 4 to 12 years; self-laundering (art. 648-ter.1 c.p.) from 2 to 8 years. Reinvestment (art. 648-ter c.p.) from 4 to 12 years. The discriminating element: the origin of funds from a predicate offense and, in self-laundering, activities 'preventing concrete identification' of the criminal origin.

Offenses and penalties table

Offense	Art. c.p.	Penalty
Money laundering	art. 648-bis	4–12 years
Reinvestment	art. 648-ter	4–12 years
Self-laundering	art. 648-ter.1	2–8 years
Fraudulent transfer of assets	art. 512-bis	2–6 years

UIF reports and bank SOS

Suspicious transaction reports (SOS) transmitted by financial intermediaries to the UIF (Financial Intelligence Unit) can lead to criminal investigations within a few weeks. It is essential to intervene before the prosecutor registers the proceedings in the suspects register. Early defense allows collection of documentation on the legitimacy of flows and avoidance of precautionary measures.

Main defense strategies

Prove the lawful origin of funds with accounting and banking documentation
Challenge the subjective element (absence of concealment intent)
Contest the equivalent seizure within 10 days
Exclude self-laundering punishability for merely personal reinvestment
Manage international profiles with specialized foreign correspondent networks

Recent cases successfully resolved

Case A – Construction entrepreneur

Money laundering charged for real estate transactions financed with foreign funds. Bank SOS. Seizure €1.2M.

Review accepted. Lawful origin of funds demonstrated. Case dismissed.

Case B – Professional (lawyer)

Self-laundering charged for reinvestment of professional fees (alleged underlying tax offense).

Acquittal for non-existence of predicate offense; self-laundering inadmissible.

Case C – International trading company

Money laundering on import-export operations with offshore company interposition. Swiss and UAE letters rogatory.

Favorable plea bargain with reduced confiscation. Foreign assets partially protected.

The Firm's Method

Initial confidential consultation

First meeting within 24 hours: case analysis, risk assessment and defense strategy.

File access and technical analysis

Access to the investigation file, appointment of expert witnesses, in-depth documentary and financial analysis.

Tailored defense strategy

Preparation of defense briefs, precautionary applications, appeals to the Liberty Court or pre-notitia criminis interventions.

Representation at all court levels

Representation at trial, appeal and Supreme Court; parallel management of any 231 proceedings.

Our Team