ISLAMABAD: The Secur-ities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has directed the securities brokers, futures brokers, insurance companies, Takaful operators, non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) and Modarabas to raise Red Flags/indicators for identification of persons or entities suspected to be acting on behalf of designated/proscribed individuals or entities involved in money laundering/terrorist financing.
The SECP has issued a directive to the Regulated Persons (RPs) through issuance of an SRO 881 (I)/2020.
According to the SECP's latest directive, whereas the commission has notified the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (Anti Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism) Regulations, 2018 (the "Regulations") vide SRO 770(I)/2018 dated June 13, 2018 upon recommendation of Financial Monitoring Unit, established under section 6 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010 (VII of 2010), which require all Regulated Persons (RPs) to ensure implementation of targeted financial sanctions under the United Nations Security Council resolutions, adopted by the Government of Pakistan, and refrain from forming business relationship with designated/proscribed persons or entities under the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1948 & the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 and their associates. The Commission hereby directs all the Regulated Persons (RPs) to comply with following requirements of Red Flags/ indicators for identification of persons or entities suspected to be acting on behalf of or at the direction of designated/proscribed individuals or entities:
Red Flags applicable to all SECP sectors: The following indicators should be used to identify suspected persons: First, a customer appears to have conducted transactions on behalf of or at the direction of a designated/ proscribed individual. Second, a customer is an office bearer (trustee/ member/ director/ authorized signatory etc.) of a designated/ proscribed entity. Third, a customer is a business partner of an office bearer (trustee/ member/ director etc.) of a designated/ proscribed entity. Four, a customer is a close family member of a designated/ proscribed individual who is also suspected to be associated with the business of the designated/ proscribed individual by way of financial or other assistance.
Five, an entity has a designated/ proscribed individual on its board or management. Six, unilateral sanctions listing identify linkage/ association of a customer with a designated/ proscribed individual or entity. Seven, the media (Broadcast/ Print/ Social) news highlights customer's involvement in providing financial or other assistance to designated/proscribed individual or entity. Eight, the inquiry from law enforcement agency/ intelligence agency indicating linkage of a customer with designated/ proscribed individual or entity.
Red Flags that specifically relate to Non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs): The customer declares a proscribed person as a guarantor of loan or nominee of the customer. The customer has obtained a loan from an NBFC, but the loan shall be utilized by a proscribed person. Moreover, the repayment of a loan to the customer is made by a proscribed person. In case of Mutual Funds account to account transfer involving transfer to a proscribed individual or entity. A customer who is refused financial services/ loan due to association with a proscribed person approaches another financial institution for securing a loan. Red Flags based on behaviour of account holders associated with proscribed individuals or entities: One, a customer has provided the same residential/ office address that matches the known residential/ office address of a designated/ proscribed individual or entity. Two, a customer has provided the same personal contact number that matches the contact number provided earlier by a proscribed/ designated customer. Three, a customer depositing funds in the account of a person or entity listed in an international or foreign jurisdiction's sanctions lists maintained in accordance with UNSC resolution 1373. Four, a customer listed in an international or foreign jurisdiction's sanctions list maintained in accordance with UNSC resolution 1373, is depositing funds in another customer's account. The SECP added that any person to whom this directive applies and who contravenes or fails to comply with the requirements of this directive or submits a compliance report which is false in material respect or where under a misstatement is made shall be liable to imposition of penalty under section 40A of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan Act, 1997 which may extend to Rs 10 million and where such contravention is a continuing one, with a further penalty which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees for every day after the first during which such contravention continues.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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