Federal government to target criminal abuse of virtual currencies, prepaid cards

OTTAWA The federal government is proposing measures that take aim at shadowy payments made by terrorists and money launderers using virtual currencies and prepaid credit cards.

The planned regulations would help close loopholes in Canada’s anti-money laundering regime and address shortcomings pointed out by an international watchdog.

Virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin, are increasingly being used to commit fraud and cybercrime and to buy illicit goods and services in the darker corners of the internet, notes a federal summary accompanying the proposed changes.

“They allow for the rapid transfer of funds within or across borders, oftentimes without any intermediary, are generally characterized by non-face-to-face customer relationships, and can circumvent the physical ‘brick and mortar’ financial system entirely.”

The measures would impose new reporting obligations on people and businesses dealing in such cryptocurrencies.

Like more traditional money service businesses, they would have to register with Fintrac, Canada’s anti-money laundering agency, as well as keep track of virtual currency transactions of $10,000 or more.

Prepaid credit cards can be abused because it is difficult to trace the origins of money loaded to them, the government says.

Under the changes, prepaid cards would be treated like bank accounts, meaning issuers would need to verify the card purchaser’s identity, keep records and report any suspicious dealings.