Enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws and regulations is a reason for optimism that fraud of the type that led to the Ralph Lauren Corp. settlement with the U.S. government will decline, said one longtime anti-money laundering advocate.

Misinvoicing of trade documents is a way for individuals, companies and governments to launder money, and this type of fraud cost developing countries at least $4.69 trillion from 2001 through 2010, said Washington, D.C.-based Global Financial Integrity,...