2004 National HIDTA Program Award
OUTSTANDING INTELLIGENCE ANALYST
New York/New Jersey HIDTA - Alan Goldfisher
Mr. Goldfisher is the Supervisor of the Strategic Group within the Money Laundering Intelligence Section of the Regional Intelligence Center. In his role as the Strategic Group Supervisor, Mr. Goldfisher leads a unit of 10 law enforcement officers and intelligence analysts representing five law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
The Money Laundering Intelligence Section is one of five sections comprising the New York/New Jersey HIDTA Regional Intelligence Center (�RIC�). It was established following the designation of the El Dorado Task Force as the High Intensity Financial Crimes Area (HIFCA) for the New York metropolitan area. The Money Laundering Intelligence Section (HIFCA) provides direct support to the El Dorado Task Force and serves as a repository for money laundering intelligence for all law enforcement in the New York metropolitan area.
USE OF INNOVATIVE ANALYTICAL SUPPORT
Mr. Goldfisher has been instrumental in the formulation of the Strategic Group for the last 18 months. He has greatly contributed to the successful implementation of original programs for identifying money laundering trends and patterns. In addition he has worked with the financial community to identify new methods for identifying the illegal movement of money to the Middle East and Southwest Asia. These methods now serve as the model for the country.
Example: Mr. Goldfisher directed members of his group in the analysis of hundreds of Yemen-owned deli/grocery businesses operating in the New York metropolitan area and elsewhere in the US that are operating as illegal money remitters. Mr. Goldfisher developed a methodology to examine relationships between these businesses and their role in moving millions of dollars a year to Yemen, mostly as unreported outbound funds. It is believed that these businesses are operating as illegal money remitters (Hawalas), which avoid the banking system and all reporting requirements. Based on the analysis of these businesses Mr. Goldfisher developed over 50 targets and referred them to the El Dorado Task Force, NYPD, HHS, FDA, USPIS and other agencies for investigation.
Example: In conjunction with an investigation being conducted by ICE, SAC, NY, Mr. Goldfisher directed the analysis of multiple boxes of documents associated with a large KHAT smuggling organization. The analysis, from a khat smuggling case, resulted in the identification of over 30 narcotics couriers and over one million dollars in proceeds. Mr. Goldfisher and his analysts met with the case agents and US attorney to present the analytical findings that resulted in the indictment of the main subject on money laundering and conspiracy charges.
Example: Money Orders � directed the analysis of over 2,500 instances of money orders purchased in the NY area and negotiated in banks in Yemen. Mr. Goldfisher developed a method to look at the financial documents after they had been negotiated overseas thereby being able not only to identify the originator of the financial document but also those that negotiated the money overseas. This enabled Mr. Goldfisher to coordinate with the New York area financial institutions and was able to identify in excess of $300 million in funds that were primarily purchased with maximum denomination, even dollar amount money orders. Using this information, analysis was conducted on NY area money order agents whose daily activity appeared suspicious. A total of 12 targets were developed based on this analysis and referred for further investigation.
Example: Geographic and Industry Studies were initiated to identify money laundering techniques, fraudulent banking schemes including credit card bust outs and businesses or industries in the New York area and nationwide that perpetuate or facilitate these schemes. Statistical analysis of credit card bust out activity revealed that from 4/1/96 � 8/31/04 a total of over $900,000 Suspicious Activity Reports were filed by financial institutions. Approximately 237,000 (27%) were categorized under violations which are indicative of bust out schemes. Much of the money derived from these schemes fall into the hands of non-US citizens; some potentially being used to support or fund terrorism. Under Mr. Goldfisher's direction, HIFCA initiated a project to promote the investigation and prosecution of subjects involved in bust out schemes. In one scenario a three block section of Brooklyn, NY was reviewed for financial and criminal activity. As a result, he was able to identify a potential conspiracy involving a group of middle eastern nationals that are engaged in organized schemes to defraud financial institutions utilizing a variety of methods that included bust out schemes, check fraud, fraudulent casino lines of credit as well as immigration frauds and outstanding warrants.
The credit card bust out project initiated by Mr. Goldfisher has resulted in an active ICE JFK investigation involving bust out activity and human smuggling.
DIRECTION
Mr. Goldfisher's analytical and law enforcement experience has been a critical factor in the developmental success of the Strategic Group of the Money Laundering Intelligence Section. In addition he has been instrumental in establishing a successful working relationship between law enforcement and the financial community in the New York metropolitan area.
Mr. Goldfisher consistently develops innovative ideas and concepts to improve the intelligence collection process and information sharing among law enforcement agencies, financial regulators and the financial community.
COMMITMENT TO THE HIDTA PROGRAM
Mr. Goldfisher regularly conducts presentations within the law enforcement and financial community in order to develop new sources of information as it pertains to financial crimes. The information exchange provides a means of coordinating law enforcement and financial community information that can be analyzed and disseminated for use by other law enforcement agencies. The information is shared with law enforcement and regulatory agencies at regular HIFCA meetings, sponsored conferences and at symposiums for the financial community.
Last Updated: February 7, 2005
