Financial Crime World

IRAQ’S WAR ON MONEY LAUNDERING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

In a bid to combat the scourge of money laundering and terrorist financing, Iraq has enacted a range of laws and regulations aimed at deterring, identifying, and punishing these illicit activities.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Regulations in Iraq

The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Terrorist Financing Law No. 39 of 2015 provides a comprehensive framework for preventing, detecting, and punishing money laundering and terrorist financing in the country. Key requirements include:

  • Customer Due Diligence: Financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) must verify the identity of clients and the purpose and nature of business partnerships or transactions.
  • Know Your Customer Rules: Entities must verify the identification of non-account holders who conduct transactions worth at least five million Iraqi dinars ($4,250) or more. Beneficial owners must also be recognized when creating an account and transacting more than 10 million Iraqi dinars (approximately $8,500).
  • Suspicious Transaction Reporting: Entities must notify the financial intelligence unit (FIU) of suspicious transactions and wait for instruction before proceeding with the transaction. Until guidance is obtained, the relevant funds are frozen.
  • Record-Keeping: Financial institutions and DNFBPs must preserve accurate and full records of their transactions and client interactions for at least five years.
  • Internal Controls and Policies: Entities must adopt processes for identifying, reporting, and managing money laundering and terrorism financing threats. Training for personnel is also a key requirement.

The Role of the Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing

The Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (Money Laundering Reporting Office) plays a critical role in Iraq’s AML efforts, responsible for:

  • Receiving, acquiring, or investigating reports or information from reporting organizations concerning suspected money laundering or terrorist financing operations.

Conclusion

Compliance with Iraq’s anti-money laundering regulations is essential to prevent the country from being used as a haven for illicit activities. Financial institutions and DNFBPs must take steps to ensure that they are complying with these requirements, including:

  • Performing customer due diligence
  • Record-keeping
  • Suspicious transaction reporting
  • Internal controls and policies
  • Training for personnel

Failure to comply can result in severe penalties, making it essential that firms prioritize compliance to avoid reputational and financial damage.