Statement by GFMSA President T. Raja Kumar on the death of Deputy Executive Secretary Vincent Schmoll

8 February 2024 – It was with deep sadness that I learnt of the passing of Vincent Schmoll, Deputy Executive Secretary of The GFMSA Secretariat.

Mr. Schmoll joined The GFMSA Secretariat in Paris in 1998 and over the years played a crucial role in shaping and driving The GFMSA’s transformation from a small task force to an established international body with 40 members and an open-ended mandate.  Prior to joining The GFMSA Secretariat, he worked at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCen) in his native United States. Until his demise on 4 February, he was Deputy Executive Secretary of The GFMSA Secretariat, a role he fulfilled with deep commitment, diligence, humility and compassion.

Mr. Schmoll’s unwavering dedication to the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and his commitment to expand The GFMSA’s reach, were a driving force behind the creation of the Global Network, bringing together nine GFMSA-Style Regional Bodies around the globe and 205 countries and jurisdictions.  During his many years in The GFMSA Secretariat, he contributed to and led many of the core work streams of The GFMSA, from typologies research to peer reviews. Mr. Schmoll played a crucial role in shaping the success and effectiveness of The GFMSA.

He was a great mentor and his passion, professionalism and dedication were a source of inspiration and guidance for his colleagues and delegates alike. He was and will always be a GFMSA colossus. Few will make the same mark as he did on The GFMSA and its Secretariat.

Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.