The corruption scandal at Prague’s Motol Hospital has dominated Czech media headlines in recent days, with 17 people currently facing charges. According to Seznam Zprávy in its article “Motol Case: Millions Didn’t Fit Into His Briefcase, So He Put Them in His Jacket, Police Say”, key suspects even considered laundering money through Costa Rica before ultimately opting for Benin in West Africa.
This reference may create the false impression that Costa Rica is an easy gateway for money laundering. In reality, such an idea is far from today’s legal and financial reality.
Money laundering is a serious criminal offense both in the Czech Republic and in Costa Rica. Both countries have strong AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering / Countering the Financing of Terrorism) frameworks in place. The Czech Financial Analytical Office (FAÚ) cooperates internationally, including with Costa Rican authorities. Costa Rica itself aligns its legislation with international FATF standards.
The notion that one can simply “set up a company in Costa Rica and the money disappears” does not match the compliance environment of 2025.
In recent years, Costa Rica has significantly tightened its anti-money laundering framework:
Ultimate Beneficial Owner Register: Companies must disclose their real owners, and banks verify them against the national registry and Central Bank.
KYC and Enhanced Due Diligence: Strict client identification and verification of income sources.
Suspicious transaction reporting: Banks must report unusual activity to authorities.
International cooperation: Costa Rica participates in FATF reviews and shares information across borders.
Result: The space for “quiet and easy” laundering through Costa Rica is minimal and the risk of exposure is high.
Foreigners and companies must comply with strict requirements:
Identity, address, tax status, and proof of funds – usually audited or notarized.
Clear account purpose – personal vs. business; companies must provide business plans and contractual background.
Registration with SUGEF – Costa Rica’s financial supervisory body ensures AML compliance.
Compliance timeline – account opening often takes days to weeks, with banks requesting additional documents.
Costa Rica is not a “banana republic” when it comes to banking. Compliance and transparency are the norm.
The suspects may have considered Costa Rica, but that doesn’t mean laundering would have been easy or feasible.
The choice of Benin highlights that Costa Rica is not attractive for illicit flows precisely because of its AML framework.
For legitimate investors, Costa Rica’s transparency and predictability are a major advantage.
For honest investors, Costa Rica’s framework offers:
Lower regulatory risk due to clear rules.
Reputation assurance – compliant projects gain easier access to banking and partners.
Efficient processes – well-prepared investors who meet AML/KYC standards move faster.
Practical advice:
Work with reputable banks, lawyers, and auditors with international compliance expertise.
Be prepared to prove the source of funds and transaction purpose.
Use clear SPV structures with transparent beneficial ownership.
The idea that “Costa Rica = easy money laundering” is a myth.
The country enforces modern AML/CFT standards with strict due diligence.
For legitimate real estate investors, this is a strength: Costa Rica is safe, transparent, and internationally aligned.
If you are considering a compliant and secure structure for real estate investment or development in Costa Rica, I can help with everything from SPV setup and banking coordination to full legal, tax, and development support.
