illicit payments
Corrupt financial transfers
Illicit payments are money transfers that violate laws, regulations, or ethical standards—typically bribes, kickbacks, or under-the-table transactions meant to influence decisions or circumvent legal requirements.
The term appears frequently in contexts involving corruption, money laundering, and regulatory violations.
The investigation revealed illicit payments to government officials in exchange for favorable contracts.
Unlike legitimate business expenses, illicit payments are deliberately concealed and can result in criminal prosecution.
- legal penaltiesPunishments imposed by courts
- greedExcessive desire for wealth
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- palm greasingIllicit payment for favors
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
quid pro quo · pay to play · hush money · off the books · whistleblower protections · reputational damage · extortion · tax evasion · political influence · embezzlement · slush fund · dirty money · secrecy · looking the other way · financial audits · fraud · under the table · money laundering
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
illicit, illicitly, illicitness, licit, license, licence, licensee, licensing, licensed