Why might money laundering be carried out through a series of transactions?

Money laundering is primarily conducted through a series of transactions to obscure the money's illegal origins. This method involves breaking down large sums of illicit funds into smaller, less suspicious amounts and layering them through various financial operations such as deposits, transfers, and withdrawals. By creating a complex trail of transactions, the launderer aims to disguise the money's source, making it difficult for law enforcement and financial authorities to trace its origins back to criminal activities. This obfuscation is crucial for individuals seeking to legitimize their illegally obtained profits, as it reduces the risk of detection and prosecution for their unlawful actions.