A money launderer who moves dirty money in tiny amounts that are hard to be detected or spotted. This money may be stuffed in bags or suitcases across borders. Smurfs may also make scores of deposits across a specific region. The practice of smurfing involves spreading cash deposits across multiple accounts (even multiple branches or banks).

Smurfs are usually hired by criminals and other illegal persons or establishments to launder dirty money through the formal banking system. To that end, they usually buy hundreds of bearer instruments such as money orders and cashier’s checks.