The way I see it, before, he had two choices: Run a single money laundering operation where he recruit people, have an office, etc... and have a sizable amount going through it. Or create 1.000 shell company. Having a single shell company with no presence and employees move dozens of millions of dollars will raise eyebrows from the bank. But a 1.000 shell that move dozens don't.

After this, he has only one choice: Run the fake business.