These recommendations were revised in 1996. The purpose of the FATF is to criminalize money laundering among member states and to harass non-member states who do not follow its recommendations. This, in particular, includes anonymity . Countries should pay special attention to money laundering threats inherent in new or developing technologies that might favour anonymity, and take measures, if needed, to prevent their use in money laundering schemes. In particular, the FATF has devoted taxpayer resources to the study of the question of when and how the assets of those citizens accused of money laundering can be seized, and how the loot can be shared among governments.
Confiscation is an important topic in relation to money laundering.
The criminal's concern that their proceeds of crime may be confiscated is a major factor in motivating them to launder the proceeds of crime. An effective confiscation system is a necessary component of the anti-money laundering measures taken by any country. A key focus of FATF attention has been to create an environment where financial assets can be seized by the government without any burden of proof such assets are in any way associated with any crime. Integrally linked is the question of depriving a defendent of proceeds of offences other than those for which he is immediately convicted. So, in sum, the FATF has declared itself the enemy of privacy and anonymity, and represents an international, inter-governmental endeavor to seize assets at will.