FAQ
Suspicious transaction represents any transaction carried out through a single operation or through several operations that do not correspond to the ordinary activity and/or are not typical of the type of activity of the client or person, according to art. 3 of Law no. 308/2017 on the prevention and combating of money laundering and terrorist financing. Such transactions may indicate possible attempts at money laundering or terrorist financing and must be reported immediately to the Office for Prevention and Fight against Money Laundering.
Suspicious activity is any behavior, operation or attempted operation that, by its nature, structure, frequency or context, raises reasonable suspicion that it is related to money laundering, terrorist financing, crimes generating illicit proceeds or the avoidance/evasion of legal reporting and customer knowledge (KYC) obligations. Like the suspicious transaction, it must be reported immediately to the Office for Prevention and Fight against Money Laundering.
To report a suspicious transaction, access the official page of the Office for Prevention and Fight against Money Laundering. From the menu bar, select the option Report > Special forms, where you choose the form corresponding to the type of reporting entity. After completing the form, it is sent electronically, to the email address indicated below the form, to the Office for Prevention and Fight against Money Laundering.
Beneficial owner is the natural person who ultimately owns or controls a customer or on whose behalf or in whose interest an activity or transaction is carried out, directly or indirectly. In the case of legal entities for profit, the beneficial owner is, as a rule, the natural person who directly or indirectly owns at least 25% plus one share or over 25% of the voting rights or share capital, or who exercises control through other means. In the case of trusts and similar legal arrangements, the notion includes the natural persons involved in their establishment, administration or benefit, as well as any person who exercises ultimate control. For non-profit organizations and other entities, the beneficial owner is the natural person who ultimately exercises control or who benefits in a significant proportion from their assets or activity. For more details, see art. 52 from Law No. 308/2017.
The obligation to report a suspicious transaction to the Office for Prevention and Fight against Money Laundering is the responsibility of natural and legal persons falling under the scope of art. 4 of Law no. 308/2017, also referred to as reporting entities. These include: banks, currency exchange offices, insurance companies, lawyers, notaries, accountants, real estate agents, as well as other institutions that provide financial or consulting services. Reporting entities are obliged to immediately inform the Office for Prevention and Fight against Money Laundering about any transaction or activity that raises suspicions of money laundering or terrorist financing, without notifying the targeted client.
The petition to the Office for Prevention and Fight against Money Laundering can be submitted: by email: office@spcsb.gov.md, by post or at the institution's headquarters: Chisinau, Bănulescu-Bodoni street no. 26. In order for the petition to be registered and examined, it must meet the conditions provided for by Law no. 190/1994 on petitioning, namely: to be signed in handwriting or electronically, to contain the petitioner's personal data (last name, first name, contact address) and to include valid information and contact details.
The financial investigation carried out by the Office for Prevention and Fight against Money Laundering is an activity consisting of collecting information, analyzing and verifying financial and economic relationships, as well as clients who may be involved in money laundering, associated crimes or terrorist financing. It aims to identify, establish the source and trace assets obtained or used in crimes, terrorist funds, as well as other assets that may be subject to precautionary measures or confiscation. Financial investigations are different from special investigations regulated by Law no. 59/2012 on special investigative activity.
Individuals and legal entities can contribute to combating money laundering by:
- Avoiding involvement in suspicious or economically unjustified transactions;
- Careful verification of business partners and the source of funds used;
- Compliance with legal regulations on the prevention and combating of money laundering and terrorist financing;
- Respectarea reglementărilor legale privind prevenirea și combaterea spălării banilor și finanțării terorismului;
- Implementation of internal compliance measures, such as know-your-customer policies;
- Do not give your cards or banking information to anyone and be vigilant against phishing attempts — use only secure channels for banking operations;
- Promoting a culture of integrity and transparency in economic and financial activity.