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Suspicious Activity and Transaction Reports

Changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act) and regulations introduced new requirements for reporting entities to report suspicious activity as well as suspicious transactions to the New Zealand Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) - Reporting Guideline

The FIU have issued a Suspicious Activity Reporting Guideline to help clarify the obligation to report SARs under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act).

Reporting Suspicious Activities

How do I submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs)?


Suspicious Activity Reports (SAR) must be reported to the FIU through an online form in GoAML Web.

GoAML is the prescribed reporting tool for the AML/CFT Act - learn more about goAML.

Note SAR is a legislative umbrella term for both suspicious activity and transaction reporting, as well as the title of a report type. Guidance on which report (SAR or STR) needs to be completed is available in the resource library.

Registering with the FIU and GoAML (the FIU Reporting Tool)

If you are a new reporting entity not currently registered with the FIU you will need to register using the GoAML Web application.

Information about how to register with the FIU is available in the "Registering in goAML" section on the goAML page.

 

When do I need to submit a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)?


A SAR must be submitted to the FIU no later than three working days after reasonable grounds for suspicion are formed.

 

Resource Library: How to Complete Suspicious Activity and Transactions Reports

Reference material on how to complete suspicious activities and transactions reports are available from the Resource Library in GoAML.

The Resource Library is available for reporting entities who have registered with GoAML. To access, reporting entities will need to log into GoAML and click on the question mark (?) icon on the task bar.