Which is the next best course of action for the investigator?

Refer to the exhibit.

In a review of the account activity associated with Nadine Kien, an investigator observes a large number of small- to medium-size deposits from numerous individuals from several different global regions. The money is then transferred to a numbered company.

Which is the next best course of action for the investigator?

A. Complete the monthly review and note the activity for next month’s review.

B. File a SAR/STR on the account activity in relation to a potential funnel account.

C. Recommend the account for exit due to frequent global transactions.

D. No further action is required as the customer is already rated at high-risk and the monthly spending is within expectations.

View Answer

Answer: B

Explanation:

The next best course of action for the investigator is to file a SAR/STR on the account activity in relation to a potential funnel account. This is because a funnel account is a type of money laundering scheme that involves depositing funds from multiple sources into a single account, and then transferring them to another account, often in a different jurisdiction. A funnel account can be used to conceal the origin, ownership, and destination of illicit funds, and to evade currency transaction reporting requirements. The investigator should report the suspicious activity to the relevant authorities and document the findings and actions taken.

The other options are incorrect because:

A. Completing the monthly review and noting the activity for next month’s review is not sufficient, as it delays the reporting of a possible money laundering scheme and exposes the financial institution to regulatory and reputational risks.

C. Recommending the account for exit due to frequent global transactions is not appropriate, as it does not address the underlying issue of potential money laundering and may alert the customer of the investigation.

D. No further action is required as the customer is already rated at high-risk and the monthly spending is within expectations is not acceptable, as it ignores the red flags of a funnel account and fails to comply with the anti-money laundering obligations of the financial institution.

Reference: Advanced CAMS-FCI Certification | ACAMS, Section 2: Investigating Financial Crimes, page 9

Leading Complex Investigations Certificate | ACAMS, Module 2: Identifying Red Flags, page 5