Abstract

GUZMAN-GARCIA, Jonathan Mesías; CHACON-GOMEZ, Nayibe Eloína  and  ALFONSO-GONZALEZ, Iruma. The role of notaries in preventing fraud and money laundering. Noesis [online]. 2025, vol.7, n.esp2, pp.125-137.  Epub Dec 31, 2025. ISSN 2739-0365.  https://doi.org/10.35381/noesisin.v7i2.508.

This study analyzed the role of Ecuadorian notaries in preventing fraud and money laundering, an issue that has gained relevance due to the use of movable and immovable property in illegal activities. The objective was to determine the incidence of notaries in the detection and reporting of suspicious transactions within acts and contracts executed at notary offices. A qualitative approach with a descriptive scope was applied, based on a review of regulations, doctrine, and case law, supplemented by interviews with notaries in the canton of Guaranda. The results showed that notaries, as regulated entities, play a fundamental role in reporting to the Financial and Economic Analysis Unit, although it was found that there is no express provision in the Notarial Law supporting this obligation. It was concluded that notaries are key agents in ensuring legality and preventing fraud and money laundering, despite regulatory and operational limitations.

Keywords : Notaries; crime prevention; money laundering; legal security..

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )