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OFAC Sanctions List Search in Korea, Republic of: A Comprehensive Guide
In an effort to assist businesses and individuals in complying with sanctions programs, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has developed a web-based search engine for its sanctions lists. This tool, known as Sanctions List Search, allows users to search for potential matches on OFAC’s sanctions lists and provides a wealth of information on how to use the tool effectively.
How Does Sanctions List Search Work?
Sanctions List Search uses fuzzy logic to provide a broader set of results beyond exact matches. The tool utilizes character and string matching as well as phonetic matching, with the name field being the only one that invokes fuzzy logic when run. This means that users can input partial information or variations in spelling and still receive relevant search results.
Fuzzy Logic Algorithms Used
- Jaro-Winkler
- Soundex
The Score: Understanding Match Thresholds
One of the key features of Sanctions List Search is its scoring system. The score indicates the similarity between the name entered and resulting matches on OFAC’s sanctions lists. A higher score indicates a more exact match, while lower scores suggest potential matches that may not be as precise.
Interpreting Scores
| Score | Match Type |
|---|---|
| High (90%+) | Exact Match |
| Medium (50-89%) | Potential Match with Similarity |
| Low (<50%) | Potential Match with Limited Similarity |
Using the Minimum Name Score Field and Slider Bar
The minimum name score field allows users to limit the number of names returned by the search. By adjusting this value, users can narrow down their results to only include exact matches or broaden their search to include more potential matches based on similarity.
Adjusting the Minimum Name Score
- Exact Match: Set the minimum name score to 90% or higher
- Potential Match with Similarity: Set the minimum name score between 50-89%
- Potential Match with Limited Similarity: Set the minimum name score below 50%
Technical Details: How Sanctions List Search Calculates Scores
Sanctions List Search uses two matching logic algorithms, Jaro-Winkler and Soundex, as well as two techniques to calculate scores. The tool first looks for potential matches based on the first letter of input search terms and then compares the entire name string entered against full name strings on OFAC’s sanctions lists.
Matching Logic Algorithms
- Jaro-Winkler: Measures similarity between strings using a combination of edit distance and Jaro metric.
- Soundex: Converts words to phonetic codes based on sound, allowing for easier matching.
Who Can Use Sanctions List Search?
While Sanctions List Search is intended for use by individuals and businesses, it should not be utilized by automated systems. For a copy of files that can be easily interpreted by automated systems and software programs, please see the list of XML, CSV, PIP, DEL, and FF files on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) and Consolidated Sanctions List pages.
Important Note
Automated systems are not permitted to use Sanctions List Search. Users must manually input search terms and review results.
Recent Updates to Sanctions List Search
In January 2021, OFAC upgraded its Sanctions List Search application with a new algorithm to improve its performance. Users may see differences in search results when compared to an earlier version of the tool. It is recommended that users repeat their testing on the current version of the tool.
Update History
- January 2021: New algorithm implemented for improved performance
- Previous Updates: Search results may differ from previous versions of the tool