RBI Renews Money Laundering Instructions

[RBI Circular No. 17 dated 23^rd August 2012]

Sub: Anti-Money Laundering (AML) / Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Standards - Money changing activities

Please refer to our A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 107 dated April 17, 2012 on risks arising from the deficiencies in AML/CFT regime of certain jurisdiction.

2. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has issued a further Statement on June 22, 2012 on the subject.

3. Authorised Persons are accordingly advised to consider the information contained in the enclosed statement.

4. This, however, does not preclude Authorised Persons from legitimate transactions with these countries and jurisdictions.

5. These guidelines are also applicable mutatis mutandis to all agents/ franchisees of Authorised Persons and it will be the sole responsibility of the franchisers to ensure that their agents / franchisees also adhere to these guidelines.

6. Authorised Persons may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents concerned.

7. Please advise your Principal Officer to acknowledge receipt of this circular letter.

8. The directions contained in this Circular have been issued under Section 10(4) and Section 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999)and also under the, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, (PMLA), 2002, as amended by Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Act, 2009 and Prevention of Money-Laundering (Maintenance of Records of the Nature and Value of Transactions, the Procedure and Manner of Maintaining and Time for Furnishing Information and Verification and Maintenance of Records of the Identity of the Clients of the Banking Companies, Financial Institutions and Intermediaries) Rules, 2005 as amended from time to time and are without prejudice to permission /approvals, if any, required under any other law.