The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) on 13 February 2026 launched a dedicated webpage to confidentially accept whistleblower tips on fraud, money laundering, and sanctions violations, with Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announcing potential financial awards for eligible submissions.
Treasury said the initiative is designed to strengthen enforcement of the Bank Secrecy Act and U.S. sanctions laws while helping recover funds lost to government benefits fraud schemes.
The launch comes amid Treasury-led enforcement efforts in Minnesota and other jurisdictions targeting complex fraud rings that federal authorities say have diverted billions in taxpayer funds. According to Treasury statements, the new reporting mechanism is intended to support ongoing investigations and accelerate enforcement actions under existing financial crime statutes.
Treasury Accepting Whistleblower Tips on Fraud, Money Laundering, Sanctions Violations
The U.S. Department of the Treasury said FinCEN’s Office of the Whistleblower is now accepting confidential tips involving violations and conspiracies related to the Bank Secrecy Act and U.S. sanctions programs. According to FinCEN, individuals may be eligible for financial awards if their information leads to a successful enforcement action.
Secretary Scott Bessent stated during remarks in Minnesota that Treasury would offer whistleblower payments for actionable information detailing fraud and money laundering activity. Treasury positioned the portal as a formal mechanism to collect documented, specific submissions that can support enforcement under existing federal law.
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting mechanism | New webpage launched | FinCEN announced dedicated portal for confidential whistleblower submissions under Bank Secrecy Act authorities |
| Financial incentives | Awards available | Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated eligible tips may receive payments if enforcement action succeeds |
| Legal scope | Expanded visibility | FinCEN confirmed coverage includes Bank Secrecy Act and U.S. sanctions violations |
Minnesota Enforcement and Anti-Fraud Initiatives
While in Minnesota, Secretary Bessent announced several related initiatives targeting government benefits fraud schemes that Treasury said have cost taxpayers billions. Treasury attributed those losses to complex fraud rings operating through social service programs, with funds allegedly diverted to luxury goods and overseas transfers.
Meanwhile, FinCEN issued four notices of investigation to Money Services Businesses in Minnesota under Bank Secrecy Act authority. Additionally, FinCEN issued a Geographic Targeting Order requiring banks and money transmitters in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties to report certain cross-border transactions of $3,000 or more, according to Treasury.
- FinCEN Investigations: Four notices issued to Minnesota-based Money Services Businesses under Bank Secrecy Act examination authority, according to Treasury.
- Geographic Targeting Order: Banks and money transmitters in specified counties required to report certain international transfers above $3,000, per FinCEN.
- IRS Task Force: Treasury announced the IRS will form a task force focused on misuse of pandemic-era tax incentives and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities linked to fraud schemes.
Treasury also confirmed that FinCEN issued an Alert to financial institutions highlighting red flags associated with fraud targeting Federal child nutrition programs. According to Treasury, law enforcement has documented at least $300 million in fraud linked to such programs in Minnesota.
In addition, FinCEN provided training to Federal, state, and local law enforcement on leveraging Suspicious Activity Reports and financial data to combat fraud schemes. Treasury stated these measures aim to improve prosecutions and recovery of laundered funds.
Comments
“President Trump has been clear that Americans have a right to know that their tax dollars are not being diverted to fund acts of global terror or to fund luxury cars for fraudsters. At Treasury, we follow the money. We did it with the mafia, we have done it with the cartels, and we’re doing it with the Somali fraudsters,”
said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.
“We are going to offer whistleblower payments to anyone who wants to tell us the who, what, when, where, and how this fraud and money laundering has occurred.”
In Conclusion
Treasury’s launch of the FinCEN whistleblower portal formalizes a structured channel for reporting fraud, money laundering, and sanctions violations under federal financial crime laws. According to Treasury and FinCEN statements, the initiative integrates financial incentives with expanded investigative and reporting tools to support enforcement actions.
By linking whistleblower reporting with Geographic Targeting Orders, investigative notices, and IRS task force activity, Treasury has outlined a coordinated enforcement approach grounded in existing statutory authorities and public oversight mechanisms.
Sources: U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources.
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