Wrong Questions Flashcards
A compliance analyst has recently investigated an account where money was deposited in amounts below the reporting limit and almost entirely withdrawn in a foreign country. Which type of money laundering is the compliance analyst potentially identifying?
A. Trade-Based
B. Check Kiting (開空頭支票)
C. Structuring
D. Microstructuring
C
When an institution receives a document request from law enforcement (執法部門)with regard to an STR that the institution has filed, what should institution do?
A. It should turn over the documents that were previously collected to support the STR
B. It should request a written subpoena or count order before turning over any documents
C. It should have its outside counsel review the request and the documents before doing anything
D. It should politely decline to provide the requested documents until the law enforcement agency can explain the nature and purpose of its inquiry
A
Which statements describe risks that are associated with international business corporations? (Choose 2)
A. They facilitate asset protection
B. They are established as an off-shore company
C. They are established with nominee directors (境外匿名董事)
D. They are created in a tax haven
E. They are inexpensive to acquire
C,D
*境外匿名董事是用以保護真實公司董事身份
P98
The regulators of a US financial institution find that the institution has failed to establish and maintain a reasonably designed AML program. Which regulatory actions should be taken? (Choose 2)
A. Criminal penalties
B. Deferred prosecution agreement 延期起訴
C. Obtain additional license
D. Cease and desist order (禁止令:行政機關或法院禁止個人或企業繼續某一特定行為的命令)
E. Matter requiring attention
B & D
Which type of sanctions are likely to be used first in order to avoid escalating violent conflicts and/or proliferation of weapons?
A. Asset Freeze
B. Financial prohibitions
C. Export and import restrictions
D. Arms and related materials embargo 禁運武器和相關材料
D
According to https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/sanctions/types.aspx?lang=eng#
Which scenario best justifies why a customer’s account might be closed by a financial institution?
A. The customer is the object of a civil subpoena
B. The account has transactions that triggered multiple suspicious activity reports
C. The customer uses a shipping company dealing with specially designated nationals
D. The account shows periodic fixed amount remittances for tuition fees
B
How do drug traffickers and other criminals use the fine art industry to disguise illicit proceeds?
A. They use forged (偽造) or fraudulent invoicing of priceless works of art by auction houses
B. They commingle (混合) legitimate and illicit proceeds by principals for payment of fine art
C. They immediately resell priceless works of art after purchase from a foreign auction house
D. They use anonymous agents to buy the art and have the payment wired from offshore havens
D
What should senior management do in order to promote a culture of anti-money laundering compliance?
A. They should include compliance with AML procedures as condition of employment
B. They should attend all training sessions with front-line employment
C. They should have close ties with the independent auditors of the AML program
D. They should base employee compensation on the amount of suspicious activity they detect
A
What is the result of an increased awareness of the potential for gatekeepers to assist in money laundering in recent years?
A. The IMF (國際貨幣基金組織) has raised the profile of gatekeepers, requiring that countries regulate them
B. Lawyers who represent money launderers can more easily be prosecuted
C. Accountants are no longer considered gatekeepers, since they are not permitted to set up companies or trusts
D. The FATF recommendations cover lawyers performing financial transactions
D
please refer to the CAMS Mock Exam
In some instances, a financial institution may receive a warrant from law enforcement authorities to search its premises. A search warrant is a grant of permission from a court for a law enforcement agency to search certain designated premises and seize specific categories of items or information. Generally, what is the required threshold for the requesting agency to establish in order to obtain a search warrant of a financial institution?
A. Reasonable belief
B. Probable cause
C. A preponderance of the evidence (占優勢的證據)
D. Clear and Convincing proof
A
When should the anti-money laundering risk assessment be updated?
A. Every two years
B. When instructed to by the Financial Action Task Force
C. When the board of directors changes
D. After a merger or acquisition
D
A compliance officer identifies a potentially significant risk in a popular financial product. Further investigation reveals there is no mitigating control.
Which course of action should the compliance officer take?
A. Implement a temporary mitigation plan that enables effective management of the risk until a permanent plan can be developed
B. Note the risk and address it during the next round of policy and procedure review
C. Immediately cease providing the product and only offer it after effective permanent mitigation is implemented
D. Launch a long-term project to remediate the control deficiency
A
A compliance officer learns from an Information Technology (IT) source of a potential new financial service being discussed by the new product approval committee.
What is the correct next course of action?
A. Get as much information as possible from the source so that potential risks can be researched and a report prepared and presented to the head of marketing
B. Request that the new product approval committee include the compliance officer
C. Start initial research into potential risks but wait until notified that the service has been approved by the committee before initiating extensive research
D. Go to the board of directors and try to shut the new service down immediately because the committee did not communicate with the compliance officer
B
A retail bank has just acquired a credit card business. The bank’s anti-money laundering policy requires that new employees are trained within 30 days of their hire date and refresher training is delivered to all employees on an annual basis.
Is the bank’s existing anti-money laundering training adequate to be delivered to employees of the newly acquired credit card business?
A. No, anti-money laundering training needs to be delivered face-to-face for credit card businesses.
B. Yes, the existing training covers the bank’s policies, procedures, and processes.
C. No, anti-money laundering training needs to be tailored and focused on the risks specific to the business.
D. Yes, the existing training covers the anti-money laundering regulations that the bank is required to follow.
C
Who has the ultimate responsibility within a bank for ensuring that the bank has a comprehensive and effective Bank Secrecy Act / anti-money laundering (BSA/AML) program and oversight framework that is reasonably designed to ensure compliance with applicable regulations?
A. BSA/AML compliance officer
B. Board of directors
C. Senior management
D. Business line managers
B
The scope of the 3rd EU ML Directive differs from the 2nd EU ML Directive in that:
A. It specifically excludes the category of trust and company service providers
B. It covers all dealers trading in goods who trade in cash over 25,000 Euros.
C. It brought money remittance offices under AML coverage.
D. The definition of financial institution includes certain insurance intermediaries
D
Which of the following should a national legislature consider when criminalizing money laundering in line with the CFAFT 19 Recommendations:
(Choose 3)
A. Do not limit the number of specific predicate offenses for money laundering
B. Criminalize conspiracy or association to engage in money laundering
C. Indicate whether it is relevant that a predicate offense may have been committed outside the local jurisdiction
D. Require money laundering offenses to prove that the offender has actual knowledge of a criminal connection to the funds
A,B and C
According to the FATF 40 Recommendations, the threshold for identifying occasional customers at financial institutions is:
A. EURO/USD 5K
B. EURO/USD 10K
C. EURO/USD 15K
D. EURO/USD 20K
C
Which three of the following statements are true?
A Online gambling provides an excellent method of laundering because transactions are conducted primarily through credit or debit cards and the sites are typically unregulated offshore firms
B. An institution can know when a credit card is used for online gambling transactions because the cards rely on codes that illustrate the type of transactions
C. Online gambling provides an excellent method of laundering because it lends itself to any type of cash movement and there is no face-to-face contact with the customer
D. Some banks no longer allow the use of credit cards for online gambling transactions
A,B and D
A bank account is established for a new business customer. The business was established five years ago with an address in another state. The business website contains few details other than stating it is a real estate business.
One principal has an international telephone number and appears to be living in another country. The other principal works out of a recreational vehicle.
What warrants enhanced due diligence in this scenario?
A. Shell company
B. Human trafficker
C. Politically exposed person
D. Money laundering through real estate
A
The correct answer is A. Options B and C are not logical as there is insufficient information, so they are eliminated. The real fight was between A and D; since the question “warrants enhanced due diligence,” it is vital to review the corporate structure before pinning the ML tag. Hence, A is the correct answer.
A branch manager for a small community bank has a new customer who deposits four EUR 50,000 checks into one account. Shortly thereafter, the customer goes to another branch and asks to transfer all but EUR 1,500 to three accounts in different foreign jurisdictions.
Which suspicious activity should be the focus of the suspicious transaction report?
A. The customer opened the account with four large checks
B. The customer goes to a different branch to make this transaction
C. The customer transfers almost all of the funds out of the account
D. The customer asks to transfer funds to accounts in three different foreign jurisdictions
D
A government has instituted new anti-money laundering laws which require all financial institutions to obtain certain information from its customers.
Which step should an institution located in this jurisdiction take to ensure compliance?
A. Change procedures to require that the necessary information is obtained
B. Change procedures and systems as necessary and provide employee training
C. Send a notice to customers asking them to provide the necessary information
D. Change systems to ensure the required information is automatically obtained from all customers
C
Which of the following customer transactions with a securities dealer (証券交易所) would indicate the highest suspicion of money laundering?
A. An unexplained high level of account activity with very low levels of securities transactions (證券交易)
B. Recurring transfers of money into a brokerage account (經紀帳戶) subsequently invested in short-term securities.
C. Frequent trades in unlisted securities throughout the day on a regular basis.
D. Investment in securities with a significantly lower risk than the customer’s expressed risk tolerance.
A
A popular restaurant in town has begun depositing less cash than it has in prior years. In a review of the customer’s accounts, you notice that credit cards receipts has increased with no explanation
The account officer discovers that the restaurant has installed a private-owned automated teller machine (ATM) onsite and has begun construction on a patio dining area.
Which red flag should trigger additional investigation?
A. Privately owned ATM
B. Low cash deposits
C. Increased credit card receipts
D. Construction of the new patio dining area
C
A customer opens a corporate account with a broker-dealer on behalf of several beneficial owners, with a stated long-term investment goal. The customer deposits $25.5 million into the account and three days later transfers $5 million to an overseas bank. Shortly thereafter, the customer begins making numerous purchases of pesos. The compliance officer receives a query regarding the movement of funds. Within a month of account opening, the customer depletes the account.
Which two red flags should prompt the firm’s compliance officer to take action? (Choose two.)
A. The new account deposit is $25.5 million
B. A corporate account is opened on behalf of several beneficial owners
C. The compliance officer receives the query regarding the movement of funds
D. The customer’s stated investment goal is not reflective of account activity
C,D
What should countries do to help prevent non-profit organizations from being abused for the financing of terrorism according to the Financial Action Task Force 40
Recommendations?
A. Allow for freezing assets of non-profit organizations
B. Require all non-profit organizations to register with the country’s financial intelligence unit
C. Ensure non-profit organizations cannot be used to conceal or obscure the diversion of funds intended for legitimate purposes to terrorists’ organizations Most Voted
D. Create laws that forbid non-profit organizations from completing cross-border transactions without first running them through known terrorist data bases
C
study guide pg no:80 The objective of Recommendation 8 is to ensure that NPOs are not abused by:
• Terrorist organizations posing as legitimate entities
冒充合法實體的恐怖組織
•Exploiting legitimate entities as conduits for terrorist financing
利用合法實體作為恐怖主義融資的渠道
• Concealing or obscuring the clandestine diversion of funds intended for legitimate purposes to terrorist 隱瞞/掩蓋將用於合法目的的資金秘密轉移給恐怖組織的行為
In the context of AML Compliance Program Governance, which of the following is considered the most critical element to ensure the effectiveness of an AML program?
A. A comprehensive and dynamic risk assessment process
B. Regular and ongoing AML training for all employees
C. Automated transaction monitoring systems
D. Independent AML audits and reviews
A
A: A comprehensive and dynamic risk assessment process
A comprehensive and dynamic risk assessment process is crucial as it identifies and assesses the risks the institution faces and ensures that appropriate controls are in place to mitigate those risks.
B: Regular and ongoing AML training for all employees
While AML training for all employees is essential to raise awareness and ensure adherence to policies, it is not the most critical element overall.
C: Automated transaction monitoring systems
Automated transaction monitoring systems help in detecting suspicious activities, but they rely on the foundation of a solid risk assessment to be effective.
D: Independent AML audits and reviews
Independent AML audits and reviews are important for verifying compliance and effectiveness, but they are reactive rather than proactive measures.
In developing an AML compliance program, which of the following aspects is most critical for preventing insider abuse?
A. Strict internal controls and frequent audits
B. Employee background checks and ongoing monitoring
C. Whistleblower protection mechanisms and a strong ethical culture
D. Training employees on AML policies and procedures
C
A: Strict internal controls and frequent audits
While strict internal controls and frequent audits are crucial, they alone may not be sufficient to prevent insider abuse if other fundamental aspects are neglected.
B: Employee background checks and ongoing monitoring
Thorough background checks and continuous monitoring are essential, but are not the single most critical aspect. They work best in combination with other measures.
C: Whistleblower protection mechanisms and a strong ethical culture
Creating an environment where employees feel safe to report suspicious behavior, along with fostering an ethical culture, is extremely vital in preventing insider abuse.
D: Training employees on AML policies and procedures
Employee training is key to ensuring that staff understand and can implement the AML policies effectively, but without whistleblower protections and ethical culture, insider abuse may still go unreported.
In a complex money laundering investigation involving multiple jurisdictions, what is the most effective initial step to gather and analyze financial data across different countries?
A. Directly contacting financial institutions in each country to obtain transaction records
B. Utilizing international mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs) to request information from foreign authorities
C. Leveraging Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) to share information between jurisdictions
D. Hiring a private investigation firm with experience in international financial crime
C
A. Directly contacting financial institutions in each country to obtain transaction records.
While contacting financial institutions is important, it’s not the most effective initial step because it can be time-consuming and may not yield comprehensive results across multiple jurisdictions.
B: Utilizing international mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs) to request information from foreign authorities.
Using MLATs can be effective for obtaining legal assistance between governments, but it can be a slow process and may not be the best initial step for gathering comprehensive data.
C. Leveraging financial intelligence units (FIUs) to share information between jurisdictions.
FIUs are designed to process and share information related to financial crimes across borders efficiently, making this an effective initial step.
D. Hiring a private investigation firm with experience in international financial crime.
Private investigation firms can be useful, but relying solely on them initially may bypass legal and official channels that can provide more authoritative and comprehensive information.
In the context of Customer Due Diligence (CDD), which of the following measures is most effective for establishing the true beneficial owner of a legal entity?
A. Relying solely on the information provided by the customer
B. Reviewing corporate documents such as articles of incorporation and shareholder registers
C. Conducting a comprehensive background check and utilizing independent data sources and databases
D. Relying on a 3rd party intermediary to carry out due diligence
C
A. Relying solely on the information provided by the customer
While customer-provided information is useful, it may not always be reliable or complete to establish the true beneficial owner.
B. Reviewing corporate documents such as articles of incorporation and shareholder registers
Corporate documents provide valuable information about ownership structure, but they may not disclose the beneficial owner if ownership is complex.
C. Conducting a comprehensive background check and utilizing independent data sources and databases
A comprehensive background check, including the use of independent data sources and databases, is most effective for identifying the true beneficial owner, especially in complex ownership structures.
D. Relying on a third-party intermediary to carry out due diligence
Third-party intermediaries can provide additional due diligence, but reliance on them alone might not ensure the verification of the true beneficial owner.
Under the USA PATRIOT Act, which section requires financial institutions to establish anti-money laundering programs and what are the four minimum requirements such programs must include?
A. Section 312; Customer Identification Program, Internal Controls, Compliance Officer, Independent Testing
B. Section 326; Customer Identification Program, Risk Assessment, Compliance Officer, Independent Testing
C. Section 353; Customer Identification Program, Internal Controls, Watch List Screening, Independent Testing
D. Section 352; Internal Controls, Compliance Officer, Ongoing Employee Training, Independent Testing
D
Section 312 of the USA PATRIOT Act focuses on due diligence procedures for correspondent accounts and private banking accounts for non-U.S. persons.
Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions to implement a Customer Identification Program, but it does not prescribe the four minimum requirements of AML programs.
Section 353 of the USA PATRIOT Act does not exist. The Customer Identification Program and Watch List Screening are specific to other requirements.
Section 352 of the USA PATRIOT Act mandates that financial institutions establish AML programs, including internal controls, a compliance officer, ongoing employee training, and independent testing to ensure program implementation.
What advanced technique can be employed to detect complex money laundering schemes that use layering to obscure the origin of funds?
A. Transaction Monitoring
B. Network Analysis
C. Know Your Customer (KYC)
D. Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
B
Network analysis is considered an advanced technique because it provides a detailed view of the connections and flow of funds between various entities. This can reveal hidden relationships and transactions structured to obscure the origin of funds, making it particularly effective in detecting complex money laundering schemes that use layering.
Transaction monitoring is fundamental in detecting suspicious activities but may not be sufficient alone in identifying complex layering schemes.
When conducting an AML investigation into a complex network of shell companies, which of the following techniques is most effective in identifying the ultimate beneficial owners?
A. Using formal requests through mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs)
B. Implementing continuous transaction monitoring systems
C. Conducting an extensive public records search including corporate and land registries
D. Engaging forensic accountants to follow financial trails across jurisdictions
D
Public records searches can provide information on legal owners but may not always reveal the true beneficial owners, especially in cases involving multiple layers of shell companies
Engaging forensic accountants to follow financial trails across jurisdictions is the most effective technique for identifying the ultimate beneficial owners. While other methods have their merits, forensic accountants are trained to dissect complex financial structures and can often penetrate the layers of obfuscation used by shell companies in money laundering schemes.
Which directive under the European Union (EU) requires financial institutions to maintain detailed records for at least five years, implement customer due diligence (CDD), and report suspicious transactions?
A. 1st EU Directive
B. 2nd EU Directive
C. 3rd EU Directive
D. 4th EU Directive
C
The Third Anti-Money Laundering Directive (2005/60/EC) specifically provided detailed requirements for financial institutions, including maintaining records for at least five years, implementing customer due diligence measures, and reporting suspicious transactions to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive, adopted in 2015, further enhanced the framework by emphasizing a risk-based approach and introducing stricter beneficial ownership and transparency requirements.
Which method of money laundering involves the use of front companies (掩護機構) to integrate illicit funds into the financial system?
A. Layering
B. Placement
C. Integration
D. Structuring
C
Placement refers to the initial stage where illicit funds are introduced into the financial system
Integration is the third stage of money laundering where illicit funds are merged into the legitimate financial system. Front companies, which appear as a legitimate business, are often used to make illicit funds appear to be lawful revenue.
Which of the following best describes the primary challenge when integrating multiple dynamic sanctions lists into an organization’s existing AML compliance program?
A. Ensuring real-time updates across all lists to avoid any potential false positives.
B. Balancing the legal requirements of different jurisdictions with internal compliance standards
C. Maintaining and effectively managing cross-references to prevent and detect merged entity complexities.
D. Implementing a system that automates the selection of relevant sanctions lists for different business lines.
C
A: While real-time updates are critical, they do not address the primary complexity of managing dynamic and sometimes conflicting data from multiple sources.
B: Managing legal requirements of different jurisdictions is crucial but not the primary challenge when dealing with multiple sanctions lists.
C: This is a significant challenge as merged entity complexities often arise due to differences in data formats and the need for accurate cross-referencing of entities across lists.
D: Implementing an automated system is important, but it does not fully capture the primary challenge of managing dynamic updates and cross-referencing
Explanation: The primary challenge in integrating multiple dynamic sanctions lists lies in maintaining and effectively managing cross-references to handle entities and their potential complexities. Differences in data formats, frequent updates, and potential overlaps or conflicts between lists necessitate robust systems to track and validate the accuracy of cross-references. Ensuring real-time updates and balancing legal requirements, while important, are secondary to the core challenge of managing merged entity complexities.
Which of the following best describes the primary focus of a company’s enhanced due diligence (EDD) in relation to financial sanctions screening?
A. Identifying politically exposed persons (PEPs) and their close associates
B. Screening transactions for possible ties to terrorist financing
C. Ensuring compliance with global anti-money laundering standards
D. Identifying and mitigating risks associated with entities under financial sanctions
D
Explanation: Enhanced due diligence (EDD) in relation to financial sanctions screening specifically focuses on identifying and mitigating risks associated with entities and individuals under financial sanctions. While it encompasses screening for PEPs, ensuring AML compliance, and detecting terrorist financing, its primary objective lies in managing the unique risks posed by sanctioned entities and individuals.
Which of the following describes the main purpose of the 50 Percent Rule under the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations?
A. To ensure that all transactions exceeding fifty thousand dollars are reported to OFAC
B. To mandate that financial institutions monitor all account holders with fifty percent or more ownership in any transaction.
C. To require that entities owned 50% or more in the aggregate by one or more blocked persons are themselves considered to be blocked.
D. To ensure that financial institutions block all transactions to countries with 50% or more residents on the Sanctions List.
C
Explanation: The 50 Percent Rule under OFAC’s regulations states that entities owned 50% or more in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, by one or more blocked persons are themselves blocked. Compliance with this rule is imperative for financial institutions to prevent dealing with sanctioned parties
Which of the following challenges is most commonly associated with maintaining an accurate sanctions list within a financial institution’s compliance program?
A. Frequent updates and changes in sanctions lists by regulatory authorities
B. Lack of a clear regulatory framework
C. Difficulty in identifying beneficial ownership structures
D. High cost of compliance technology
A
Explanation: Financial institutions must continually monitor regulatory updates and changes to sanctions lists, which can be frequent and impactful. This makes maintaining an accurate and current sanctions list a significant challenge within any compliance program.
Which of the following techniques is most effective in uncovering complex layering strategies used in money laundering schemes?
A. Transaction monitoring and pattern recognition
B. Automated negative news screening
C. Forensic accounting and financial analysis
D. Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures
C
Explanation: Forensic accounting and financial analysis is the most effective technique in uncovering complex layering strategies used in money laundering schemes. It involves a thorough examination of financial transactions and records, enabling investigators to trace funds and identify suspicious patterns that might indicate money laundering activities.
Transaction monitoring and pattern recognition involves analyzing transaction data to detect patterns that may indicate suspicious activities. It is effective but may not always uncover complex layering strategies without additional analytical methods.
Which of the following techniques is most effective in identifying complex layering strategies in money laundering?
A. Transaction monitoring with predefined rules
B. Customer due diligence and enhanced due diligence
C. Implementation of machine learning and artificial algorithms
D. Regular audits and compliance reviews
C
Explanation: Complex layering strategies in money laundering often involve sophisticated and dynamic methods that can be difficult to detect with traditional rules-based systems. The use of machine learning and AI algorithms allows for the identification of complex and unusual patterns that are not predefined, providing a more robust tool in the detection of these advanced techniques.
While transaction monitoring with predefined rules can capture suspicious activities, it may not effectively identify complex layering strategies due to its reliance on known patterns.
Which of the following steps should be prioritized when developing an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Program to ensure its effectiveness?
A. Establishing a robust customer due diligence (CDD) process.
B. Ensuring senior management oversight and support for the AML program.
C. Deploying (部署) advanced transaction monitoring systems.
D. Implementing employee training on AML regulations.
B
Explanation: The effectiveness of an AML Compliance Program hinges on the commitment from senior management. Their oversight and support ensure that the program receives adequate resources, and aligns with the organization’s overall compliance objectives, which is critical for fostering a culture of compliance. While establishing a CDD process is crucial, it needs to be part of an integrated approach that includes other components of an AML program.
Which of the following statements best describes the primary purpose of implementing an effective transaction monitoring system within a financial institution?
A. To detect and block fraudulent transactions in real-time
B. To ensure compliance with regulatory bodies by reporting suspicious activities related to money laundering or terrorism financing.
C. To increase the overall operational efficiency of the financial institution
D. To reduce the financial institution’s operational costs associated with manual transaction reviews.
B
Explanation: The primary purpose of implementing an effective transaction monitoring system in a financial institution is to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies by identifying and reporting suspicious transactions that could indicate money laundering or terrorism financing. While there are secondary benefits such as fraud detection and operational efficiency, the core objective remains regulatory compliance and the identification of illicit activities.
While transaction monitoring can help identify potentially fraudulent activities, its primary purpose in AML is not solely focused on real-time fraud prevention.
Which of the following scenarios most likely warrants the filing of a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)?
A. A customer makes frequent deposits slightly below the reporting threshold over a short period
B. A customer wires funds internationally for a legitimate business purpose
C. A customer withdraws a large sum of money during normal business hours
D. A customer frequently asks questions about the bank’s AML policies
A
Structuring, or making multiple transactions to evade reporting requirements, often indicates an attempt to avoid detection and therefore should raise suspicion.
While unusual, simply asking questions about AML policies doesn’t inherently indicate suspicious activity on its own.
Which of the following scenarios is most likely to be indicative of layering in a money laundering scheme?
A. A customer makes a large cash deposit followed by an immediate transfer to an overseas account.
B. A customer consistently deposits amounts just below the reporting threshold over several weeks.
C. A company suddenly increases the number of wire transfers to international jurisdictions with no clear business purpose.
D. A customer withdraws large sums of cash from different bank branches within a short period.
C
Explanation: In the layering stage of money laundering, criminals focus on obscuring the origin of the illicit funds through complex layers of financial transactions. The scenario in option 3 describes a scenario that matches this stage well. Sudden and unjustified increases in wire transfers disrupts the paper trail, making it harder for the origin of the funds to be traced.
Which of the following regulatory requirements specifically address the obligations of financial institutions to detect and prevent money laundering activities related to politically exposed persons (PEPs)?
A. USA PATRIOT Act Section 312
B. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendation 12
C. Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)
D. Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) Guidelines
B
Which of the following measures is considered the most effective in detecting suspicious activity in a financial institution?
A. Regular staff training on AML/CFT policies and procedures
B. Implementing a robust transaction monitoring system
C. Conducting periodic internal audits and reviews
D. Entering into information- sharing agreements with other financial institutions
B
A robust transaction monitoring system is designed to analyze and identify suspicious activity in real-time, making it an effective measure for detecting potential money laundering activities
While staff training is crucial for maintaining awareness and compliance, it is not the primary method for detecting suspicious activity.