Money laundering requires an underlying, primary, profit-making crime (such as corruption, drug trafficking, market manipulation, fraud, tax evasion), along with the intent to conceal the proceeds of the crime or to further the criminal enterprise. These activities generate financial flows that involve the diversion of resources away from economically- and socially-productive uses—and these diversions can have negative impacts on the financial sector and external stability of member states.
Terrorism needs money to operate. Terrorists need funds to purchase weapons, equipment, supplies, and services. Financing for terrorist activity may come from the public (government-sponsored terrorism) or private (individuals, businesses, charities, nongovernmental organizations [NGOs]) sources, often in the form of many small donations. Funds may be generated from legal or criminal activity. Activities to prevent and deter terrorist financing activities are varied and many. The FATF 9 Special Recommendations on Terrorist Financing suggest some methods of combating those activities.