Financial Crime World

French Polynesia’s Anti-Money Laundering Efforts Get Boost with Enhanced Supervision and Compliance Frameworks

French Polynesia has strengthened its fight against money laundering, public sector fraud, and terrorism financing by overhauling its anti-money laundering (AML) policies. The country’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has been reorganized to improve coordination and oversight of reporting activities, while major financial stakeholders have seen an enhancement in their detection skills through the creation of profiles by Tracfin.

The Evolution of the FIU

The FIU was established to meet international standards and has evolved over time in response to global initiatives. As part of its mandate, it oversees the gathering of information from regulators and identifies financial transactions that may involve tax evasion, money laundering, or other criminal activity.

Complying with AML/CTF Regulations in French Polynesia

Organizations operating in French Polynesia are urged to develop and implement a comprehensive compliance framework that covers all aspects of their interactions with consumers and authorities. Compliance is the cornerstone of trust between the financial market and its stakeholders, focusing on four key areas:

Understanding AML/CTF Regulations

  • Organizations must understand and adhere to the rules established by the authorities, which should be clearly explained and easily understandable.
  • They must obey the law, rules, and moral principles that guide their business practices.

Education and Training

  • All stakeholders must receive education and training on how to reduce the risk of non-compliance and brand damage.

Collaboration and Partnership

  • Organizations must work together with clients and partners who adhere to international anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing requirements.
  • They must create a compliance culture among staff, ensuring that they uphold their duty of caution.

Anti-Money Laundering Strategy


The anti-money laundering strategy is an integral part of the country’s conventional crime prevention strategy. French Polynesia’s AML/CTF regulations aim to prevent and detect financial crimes, protect the integrity of the financial system, and ensure that businesses operate in a trustworthy environment.

By implementing these measures, French Polynesia has taken a significant step towards enhancing its anti-money laundering efforts and ensuring a safe and secure financial landscape for its citizens.