Money laundering is the process of disguising the origins of illegally obtained money to make it appear as though it comes from legitimate sources. This typically involves a series of transactions or movements that obscure the trail of the illicit funds, integrating them into the financial system in a way that appears lawful. 

As the name suggests, combating money laundering is a critical priority of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) programmes and financial crime compliance processes. Financial institutions must implement robust AML programmes to detect and prevent such activities. This includes performing thorough customer due diligence, monitoring transactions for suspicious activity, and reporting any findings to regulatory authorities. Effective AML measures help ensure that financial systems are not used to facilitate criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, fraud, or terrorism, and support the overall integrity and stability of the global financial system.