Here is the article in markdown format:
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT)
Client Account Due Diligence
When dealing with client accounts, AIs must not preclude themselves from making reasonable enquiries about transactions that give cause for concern or reporting those transactions if any suspicion is aroused.
For Non-Face-to-Face Customers
AIs should conduct a face-to-face interview to ascertain the customer’s identity and background information as part of the due diligence process. This includes:
- Certification of identity documents presented by suitable certifiers
- Requisition of additional documents to complement those required for face-to-face customers
- Completion of online questionnaires for account opening applications
- Independent contact with the customer by the AI
- Third-party introduction through an intermediary that satisfies certain criteria
Non-Face-to-Face Customers
AIs should apply equally effective customer identification procedures and ongoing monitoring standards for non-face-to-face customers.
Wire Transfer Messages
When sending wire transfers of HK$8,000 or more (or its foreign currency equivalent), AIs must ensure that the following information is included:
- The originator’s name
- Account number (or unique reference number if no account exists)
- Address, national identity number, or date and place of birth
AIs may choose not to include all this information for wire transfers of less than HK$8,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies. The relevant information about the originator should be recorded and retained by the AI and made available within 3 business days upon request from either the beneficiary financial institution or appropriate authorities.
Suspicious Wire Transfers
AIs should adopt a risk-based approach to check whether certain wire transfers may be suspicious. This includes exercising care if there is suspicion that a customer may be effecting a wire transfer transaction on behalf of a third party. If a wire transfer carries the name of a third party as the ordering person or otherwise does not appear to be consistent with the usual business/activity of the customer, the customer should be asked to provide further explanation of the nature of the wire transfer.
Let me know if you have any specific questions about these points!