The Financial Authority of Singapore (MAS) has imposed a complete of S$960,000 in composition penalties on 5 licensed Main Fee Establishments (MPIs) for breaching anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) rules.
The enforcement motion follows MAS examinations that discovered the companies lacked satisfactory AML/CFT controls, resulting in a number of violations of MAS Discover PSN01, which units out necessities for specified cost providers.
Remsea obtained the most important nice of S$280,000 for breaches between August 2020 and August 2023, together with failing to acquire buyer residential addresses, test for useful possession, confirm representatives’ authority, and embody required data in cross-border wire transfers.
Arcade Plaza Merchants (APT) was fined S$260,000 for failing to display clients and associated events for cash laundering and terrorism financing dangers, and for omitting originator particulars in wire switch directions.
J-Dee Remittance Companies (J-Dee) was penalised S$170,000 for comparable failures to display clients and associated events throughout July 2022 to August 2023.
Cellular Group Tech (MTC) was fined S$140,000 for failing to confirm buyer identities, representatives’ authority, and beneficiary data in transfers between September 2021 and July 2023.
OxPay SG was issued a S$110,000 penalty for not checking for useful homeowners and failing to conduct needed screenings earlier than processing cross-border transfers between Could 2021 and November 2022.
MAS stated these failures uncovered the companies to dangers of being misused for monetary crime and weakened transparency in fund transfers.
It emphasised the necessity for monetary establishments’ senior administration to make sure correct oversight and efficient implementation of AML/CFT controls.
All 5 establishments have submitted remediation plans and MAS stated it’ll monitor their progress.
The regulator additionally plans to launch an data paper highlighting widespread points and expectations recognized throughout its current supervisory evaluations.
Featured picture: Edited by Fintech Information Singapore, primarily based on picture by pvproductions by way of Freepik
