suspicious funds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspicious funds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to finance, banking, or legal matters when referring to money that raises concerns about its origin or legitimacy. Example: "The bank flagged the transaction as involving suspicious funds, prompting an investigation into its source."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that federal authorities are examining whether the casino should have reported the suspicious funds to the government.

The New York Times

In the case of Danske Bank A/S, Denmark's biggest lender, suspicious funds were funneled through its branch in Tallinn, Estonia, from 2007 to 2015.

The Washington Post

Earlier this month, Denmark's Danske Bank released an investigation into money laundering at its Estonian branch, revealing that some €200bn (£180bn) of suspicious funds moved through its non-resident bank accounts between 2007 and 2015.

The Guardian - Opinion

Shares in European banks were hit as revelations from the Troika Laundromat investigation raised new questions about the extent of their involvement in the movement of suspicious funds from Russia into Europe.

The Guardian

In 2016, in the wake of a series of Times articles on the suspicious funds behind luxury real estate purchases around the country, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, part of the Treasury Department, started requiring title companies to report all-cash purchases of some expensive residential properties in Manhattan and Miami.

The New York Times

Its report said suspicious funds from countries including Mexico, Iran and Syria had passed through the bank.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The second company, Investec Ernst, the brokerage arm of South Africa's fifth-biggest bank, was fined $740,000 for permitting customers in Mexico to wire $156 million in suspicious fund transfers without making any stock trades, the Big Board said.

The New York Times

Banks and fiduciaries are now required to identify clients and the source of their money; suspicious movements of funds must be reported; legal assistance to criminal investigators abroad is guaranteed.

The New York Times

According to the official police complaint filed by Citibank, which has been seen by the BBC, the suspicious transfer of funds at its branch in the wealthy Delhi suburb of Gurgaon, began in October 2009.

BBC

Before her involvement with Unicef, Björk was suspicious of organised fund-raising in the same way that she disdained organised politics, or organised anything which required more people than could fit in one room.

The Guardian - Music

He complained about all those sinister mystery contributions, the suspicious credit card funding that's poured into the Obama campaign coffers.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suspicious funds", ensure you have credible evidence or a reliable basis for implying that the funds may be illicit or of questionable origin. Overuse without substantiation can lead to defamation or legal issues.

Common error

Avoid using "suspicious funds" as a definitive statement of illegal activity. Instead, frame it as a concern or subject of investigation until proven otherwise. For example, use phrases like "allegedly suspicious funds" or "funds flagged as suspicious".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspicious funds" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "suspicious" modifies the noun "funds". This is evident in Ludwig, where it often appears as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the funds' characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suspicious funds" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe money that raises concerns about its legitimacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in formal contexts. It is commonly employed in news, business, and legal settings to denote funds that are under investigation or suspected of being illicit. While alternatives like ""questionable funds"" or ""dubious funds"" exist, "suspicious funds" remains a clear and direct way to convey this meaning. When using the phrase, ensure you have a valid basis for your suspicion to avoid potential legal issues, as authoritative sources confirm it's important to avoid defamation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dubious funds

Replaces "suspicious" with a synonym that emphasizes doubt and uncertainty about the funds' legitimacy.

questionable funds

Highlights the uncertainty and potential illegality surrounding the origin and purpose of the funds.

illicit funds

Directly indicates that the funds are illegal or obtained through unlawful activities.

tainted funds

Suggests that the funds are corrupted or morally compromised due to their origin.

dirty money

An informal term for money obtained illegally or through disreputable means.

funds of dubious origin

Focuses on the unclear and potentially illegal source of the money.

funds of questionable nature

Emphasizes the uncertain and possibly illicit character of the funds.

irregular funds

Highlights that the funds do not conform to standard financial practices.

funds under scrutiny

Indicates that the funds are being examined for potential illegal or unethical activities.

funds raising suspicion

Rephrases the original term to emphasize the act of causing doubt or mistrust.

FAQs

How can I use "suspicious funds" in a sentence?

You can use "suspicious funds" to describe money that raises concerns about its origin or legitimacy. For example: "The investigation revealed that "illicit funds" were being laundered through offshore accounts."

What are some alternatives to "suspicious funds"?

Alternatives include "questionable funds", "dubious funds", or "illicit funds", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "suspicious funds" in formal writing?

Yes, "suspicious funds" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in contexts related to finance, law, or investigations. However, ensure the term is used accurately and with sufficient justification.

What distinguishes "suspicious funds" from "illegal funds"?

"Suspicious funds" suggests a concern or investigation into the funds' legitimacy, while "illegal funds" implies a confirmed determination of illegality. The former indicates a suspicion that needs further investigation, while the latter suggests a proven fact.