CAMS Exam Dumps - ACAMS AML Certifications Questions and Answers

A risk appetite statement clearly defines the level and type of financial crime risk a financial institution is willing to accept in pursuit of its objectives. It guides decision-making and ensures consistency in risk-taking across the organization.

One of the core components of a strong AFC (Anti-Financial Crimes) compliance program is establishingclear roles, responsibilities, and lines of accountability, especially forescalating and addressing AFC risks and compliance issues. This governance clarity ensures effective implementation, transparency in decision-making, and timely resolution of compliance concerns.

While external audits (option A) and internal controls (option B) are important,defining governance structure and escalation responsibilities (option D)is a foundational element. Additionally, the board of directors (option C) provides oversight—not day-to-day compliance monitoring.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) develops and promotes international standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, and it evaluates and monitors countries’ compliance with these standards while providing recommendations for improvement.

Verifying a customer’s identity is a fundamental CDD requirement under the FATF Recommendations, ensuring you know who your customer is.

Identifying the beneficial owner is required to uncover the natural persons ultimately controlling or benefiting from an account, closing the gap that would allow misuse of corporate vehicles.

Receiving funds from a decentralized mixer and using multiple incoming wires from different sources to purchase virtual currency are red flags, as they can indicate attempts to obscure the origin of funds and facilitate money laundering through virtual asset transactions.

Risks tied to the misuse of gaming accounts include transferring illicit funds between players undetected, structuring transactions to avoid reporting thresholds, and providing false personal information to evade KYC and regulatory oversight, all of which can facilitate money laundering and other financial crimes.

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) requires that the board of directors establish and oversee the compliance function and approve the bank's AML/CTF compliance policies and procedures, including processes for identifying, assessing, monitoring, and reporting compliance risks.

“The board of directors should establish a compliance function and approve compliance policies and processes for identifying, assessing, monitoring, and reporting compliance risks throughout the organization.”

(CAMS 6th Edition, Corporate Governance and Oversight; BCBS, Corporate Governance Principles for Banks, Principle 6)

AMutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT)is aformal agreement between two or more countriesthat facilitatescooperation in legal and law enforcement matters, includingAML investigations.

Option D (Correct):MLATs allow governments to share financial intelligence, request legal assistance, and conduct joint investigations.

Option A (Incorrect):A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is typically a non-binding contract used for general business or governmental cooperation.

Option B (Incorrect):A Declaration of Understanding is an informal agreement and does not provide a legal framework for law enforcement cooperation.

Option C (Incorrect):A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is often used for informal cooperation but lacks the legal enforceability of an MLAT.

Option E (Incorrect):A Request for Urgent Information is not a recognized international legal instrument.

Best Practices for Cross-Border AML Cooperation:

Use MLATs to request access to financial records in foreign jurisdictions.

Collaborate with Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) via the Egmont Group.

Leverage FATF’s International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) for guidance.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, is responsible for theadministration and enforcement of economic and trade sanctions. These sanctions are based on U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives and target:

Foreign countries and regimes

Terrorist organizations

Narcotics traffickers

Individuals and entities engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

OFAC acts under various authorities, including national emergency powers granted by the President and specific legislation. One of its primary tools is theSpecially Designated Nationals(SDN) List, which identifies individuals and entities whose assets are blocked and with whom U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing.

It is important to note that OFAC is not responsible for designating jurisdictions as primary money laundering concerns (a task handled by FinCEN under Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act), nor does it manage trade agreements.