International informal banking systems operating in the Greater Toronto area

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission nor of the Nathanson Centre. [...] This hesitation appeared to be due to the concern that increased visibility might result in an increase of governmental involvement in their operations and jeopardize their livelihoods (in the case of the agents) or the transfer facility (in the case of the ). All financial agents and clients interviewed were of the following origin: Afghani (Afghanistan), Pakistani (Pakistan) or Indian (India). [...] Although the introductions and the snowballing process for the interviews called for concern regarding the validity and reliability of the information, this method was necessary considering the nature of the study. [...] In the first case, the financial agent receives funds from the client and in the second, the same financial agent is required to dispense funds to other clients at the request of other financial agents. [...] The registered financial agents at this point take written details of the sender client and have a detailed form filled regarding the identity of the sender, the recipient, the exchange rate and use/misuse or origin of the funds (such as, for illegal or terrorism purposes).