To turn the proceeds of crime into cash or property that looks legitimate and can be used without suspicion. The three stages of money laundering · 1. Money can enrich our lives and put us into a position to enrich others. When was the last time you used a gold coin to purchase something — if you have at all? Today, that may sound like something only a pirate would do, but gold and silver coins were the norm until just a few centuries ago. from venturebeat.com Placement is the first step of money laundering . Money laundering begins by moving the criminal proceeds into a legitimate source of income. Money laundering schemes vary in their complexity and methods, but there are three common phases for successful laundering: The money laundering process most commonly occurs in three key stages: When was the last time you used a gold coin to p