Africa Prepay - Anti-Money Laundering
Policy Statement & Program Procedures

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compliance and Supervisory Procedures

for

Africa Prepay Services

PLT 87 BLK G, ISLAND CITY AHENE,
ATWIMA KWANWOM, KUMASI

 

 

 

 


Afri Calum DBA Africa Prepay Anti-Money Laundering Program Overview

All Africa Prepay partners are required to establish an Anti-Money Laundering Program (AML) that at a minimum will:

1. Develop internal policies, procedures, and controls

In accordance with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinTECH)’s requirement that all E-Commerce and originators implement an Anti-Money Laundering program effective compliance date August 13, 2020, all Africa Prepay covenant partner Boards of Directors are required to adopt a program policy, procedures and controls document.

2. Designate a compliance officer who will be responsible for ensuring that

A.    The Africa Prepay ’s AML Program is implemented effectively, including monitoring compliance by the company’s agents and brokers with their obligations under the program;

B.    The AML Program is updated, as necessary; and,

C.    Appropriate persons are educated and properly trained.

3. Offer ongoing employee training program

The Africa Prepay Offices & Programs will provide its covenant partners ongoing training opportunities at the annual Covenant Partner Conference or through appropriate third party training services.

4. Establish Independent audit function to test for compliance

Provide for independent testing to monitor and maintain an adequate AML program, including testing to determine compliance of the covenant partner’s Board of Directors and staff with their obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering Program. The scope and frequency of the testing must be commensurate with the risks posed by the Africa Prepay for E-Commerce services & covenant partner’s products and services. Such testing may be conducted by a third party or by any officer or employee of The Africa Prepay covenant partner, other than the person designated as the designated compliance officer.  This could be a staff person, board member or volunteer accounting or banking associate.

 

I. (Africa Prepay & Partners) Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Policy Statement

It is the policy of (Africa Prepay & Partners) to prohibit and actively prevent money laundering and any activity that facilitates money laundering or the funding of terrorists or criminal activity. 

Money laundering is generally defined as engaging in acts designed to conceal or disguise the true origin of criminally derived proceeds so that the unlawful proceeds appear to have derived from legitimate origins or constitute legitimate assets.  Generally, money laundering occurs in three stages:

  • Placement: Cash generated from criminal activities is converted into monetary instruments, such as money orders or traveler's checks, or deposited into accounts at financial institutions.

 

  • Layering: Funds are transferred or moved into other accounts or other financial institutions to further separate the money from its criminal origin.

 

  • Integration: Funds are reintroduced into the economy and used to purchase legitimate assets or to fund other criminal activities or legitimate businesses.

Terrorist financing may not involve the proceeds of criminal conduct, but rather an attempt to conceal the origin or intended use of the funds, which will later be used for criminal purposes. Because Africa Prepay covenant partner organizations originate Financial Transactions, on behalf of consumers, there is a very small but real risk of criminal activity through the purchase of assets in the form of transactions. 

II. AML Compliance Officer Designation and Duties

As required under the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (PATRIOT Act), Africa Prepay & Partners designates (Pedro Romero) as the Anti-Money Laundering Program Compliance Officer, with full responsibility for Africa Prepay & Partners's anti-money laundering (AML) program.    The AMLCO will ensure:

D.    The Africa Prepay ’s AML Program is implemented effectively, including monitoring compliance by Africa Prepay & Partner’s officers and employees with their obligations under the program.

E.    The AML Program is updated, as necessary; and,

F.    Appropriate persons are educated and properly trained.

III. Sharing AML Information with Federal Law Enforcement Agencies

We will respond to any Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinTECH) request about accounts or transactions by immediately searching our records to determine whether we maintain or have maintained any account for, or have engaged in any transaction with, each individual, entity, or organization named in FinCEN's request.  Upon receiving an information request, the AMLCO is to be responsible for responding to the request and similar requests in the future.  Unless otherwise stated in FinCEN's request, we are required to search current accounts and transactions, accounts maintained by a named suspect during the preceding 12 months, and transactions conducted by or on behalf of or with a named subject during the preceding six months.  If we find a match, we will report it to FinCEN by completing FinCEN's subject information form in a timely manner.  If we search our records and do not uncover a matching account or transaction, then we will not reply as allowed under Section 314(a) of the PATRIOT Act.

We will not disclose the fact that FinCEN has requested or obtained information from us, except to the extent necessary to comply with the information request.  We will maintain procedures to protect the security and confidentiality of requests from FinCEN, as required by Section 501 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.  

IV. Checking the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Lists

Before approving any application which potentially may involve money laundering, we will check to ensure that an applicant does not appear on the Treasury's OFAC “Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” List, SDN List, and is not from, or engaging in transactions with people or entities from, embargoed countries and regions listed on the OFAC website.

In the event that we determine an applicant, or someone with or for whom the applicant is transacting, is on the SDN List or is from or engaging in transactions with a person or entity located in an embargoed country or region, we will reject the application and if there is sufficient concern we may also call the OFAC Hotline at 1800-540-6322.

V. Applicant Identification and Verification

We have established, documented, and maintained a written Applicant Identification Program.  We will collect certain minimum applicant identification information from each applicant and provide notice to applicants that we will seek identification information and compare applicant identification information with government-provided lists of suspected terrorists as mentioned above in Section III.

A. Required Applicant Information

Prior to approving an application, we will collect the following information for all applicants: the name; an address, (which will be a residential or business street address for an individual), an Army Post Office ("APO") or Fleet Post Office ("FPO") number; an identification number, which will be a taxpayer identification number (for U.S. persons) or one or more of the following: a taxpayer identification number, passport number and country of issuance, alien identification card number or number and country of issuance of any other government-issued document evidencing nationality or residence and bearing a photograph or other similar safeguard (for non-U.S. persons).  We will not approve an application in the event that an applicant has applied for, but has not received a taxpayer identification number and cannot prove his/her identity to the satisfaction of the AMLCO.  Family Selection Committee members may refer non-U.S. applicants without an Individual Tax Identification Number to and the most current W7 form on the IRS website for instructions on how to apply for a Taxpayer Identification Number.

 

B. Applicants Who Refuse To Provide Information

If a potential or existing applicant either refuses to provide the information described above when requested, or appears to have intentionally provided misleading information, the Africa Prepay & Partners will reject the application.  In either case, our AML Compliance Officer will be notified so that we can determine whether we should report the situation to FinCEN (i.e., file a Form SAR).

C. Verification of Information

Based on the risk, and to the extent reasonable and practicable, we will ensure that we have a reasonable belief that we know the true identity of our partner families by using risk-based procedures to verify and document the accuracy of the information we get about our applicants.  In verifying applicant identity, we will analyze any logical inconsistencies in the information we obtain.

We will verify applicant identity through documentary evidence, non-documentary evidence, or both.  We will use documents to verify applicant identity when appropriate documents are available.  In light of the increased instances of identity fraud, we will supplement the use of documentary evidence by using the non-documentary means described below whenever possible.  We may also use such non-documentary means, after using documentary evidence, if we are still uncertain about whether we know the true identity of the applicant.  In analyzing the verification information, we will consider whether there is a logical consistency among the identifying information provided, such as the applicant's name, street address, zip code, telephone number (if provided), date of birth, and social security number.

Appropriate documents for verifying the identity of applicants include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • For an individual, an unexpired government-issued identification evidencing nationality, residence, and bearing a photograph or similar safeguard, such as a driver's license or passport;
  • We understand that we are not required to take steps to determine whether the document that the applicant has provided to us for identity verification has been validly issued and that we may rely on a government-issued identification as verification of an applicant’s identity.  However, if we note that the document shows some obvious form of fraud, we must consider that factor in determining whether we can form a reasonable belief that we know the applicant's true identity.

We may use any or all of following non-documentary methods of verifying identity:

  • Contacting an applicant;
  • Independently verifying the applicant's identity through the comparison of information provided by the applicant with information obtained from a consumer reporting agency, public database, employer or other source;
  • Checking references with financial institutions;

We will use non-documentary methods of verification in the following situations: (1) when the applicant is unable to present an unexpired government-issued identification document with a photograph or other similar safeguard; (2) when the Africa Prepay & Partners is unfamiliar with the documents the applicant presents for identification verification; (3) when there are other circumstances that increase the risk that the Africa Prepay & Partners will be unable to verify the true identity of the applicant through documentary means.

E. Recordkeeping

We will maintain records of all identification information and verification information obtained for five years after the application is received.

F. Notice to Applicants

We will provide notice to applicants that the Africa Prepay & Partners are requesting information from them to verify their identities, as required by Federal law.  We will give notice to applicants regarding the policy either verbally or as a plainly posted notice such as:

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires us to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who applies for financial services from The Africa Prepay  for Housing.  We will ask for your name, address and other information that will allow us to identify you.  We may also ask to see your driver's license or other identifying documents.

VI. Foreign Correspondent Accounts and Foreign Shell Banks

It is our policy that the Africa Prepay & Partners will not provide any services or transactions when we have a reasonable cause to believe a foreign bank or foreign financial institution is involved in any way with an early payment of any Africa Prepay originated transaction.

VII. Monitoring Suspicious Activity

1. Detecting Red Flags

Red flags that signal possible money laundering or terrorist financing include, but are not limited to:

·       The applicant exhibits unusual concern about the Africa Prepay & Partners compliance with government reporting requirements and The Africa Prepay AML policies or is reluctant or refuses to reveal any information concerning personal finances or furnishes unusual or suspicious identification or documents.

·       The information provided by the applicant that identifies a legitimate source for funds is false, misleading, or substantially incorrect.

·       Upon request, the applicant refuses to identify or fails to indicate any legitimate source for his or her funds and other assets when making large early payments.

·       The applicant (or a person publicly associated with the applicant) has a questionable background or is the subject of news reports indicating possible criminal, civil, or regulatory violations.

·       The applicant exhibits a lack of concern regarding transaction costs.

·       The applicant has difficulty describing the nature of his or her business.

·       The applicant makes unexplained or sudden transactions involving cash or cash equivalents or other monetary instruments that appear to be structured to avoid the $10,000 government reporting requirements, especially if the cash or monetary instruments are in an amount just below reporting or recording thresholds (for example $9,950 early cash payment on the loan).

·       The applicant requests that a transaction be processed to avoid the Africa Prepay & Partner’s normal documentation requirements.

·       The applicant has inflows of funds or other assets well beyond the known income or resources of the applicant.

2. Responding to Red Flags and Suspicious Activity

When a member of the Africa Prepay & Partners detects any red flag he or she will investigate further under the direction of the AML Compliance Officer.  This may include gathering additional information internally or from third-party sources, contacting the government or filing a Form SAR.  Africa Prepay & Partners are obligated to report suspicious transactions that are conducted or attempted by, at or through a loan or finance company and involve or aggregate at least $5,000 in funds or other assets.  We recognize that transactions are reportable under 31 U.S.C. 5318(g) regardless of whether they involve currency.  SAR reports will be filed no later than 30 days after initial detection.

Africa Prepay & Partner has provided with the same “safe harbor” as provided for other financial institutions protecting lenders and their employees recognizing they must feel free to report suspicious transactions, and to share information in the employment context about individuals involved in misconduct, without fear of liability.

B. Currency Transaction Reports (CTR) - $10,000 Threshold

Africa Prepay & partners must file a report with the Internal Revenue Service within 15 days of receiving currency of more than $10,000 in one transaction, or in two or more related transactions occurring in a 12 month period.  The term “currency” includes coins and paper money, cashier’s checks, money orders, bank drafts and traveler’s checks.  It does not include personal checks.  Contrary to the SAR confidentially requirements, anyone involved in the transaction must be notified with a written statement that a report is being filed. 

VII. AML Record Keeping

A. SAR Maintenance and Confidentiality

We will hold SAR and any supporting documentation confidential.  We will not inform anyone outside of a law enforcement or regulatory agency about a SAR. We will segregate SAR filings and copies of supporting documentation from other Africa Prepay & Partners books and records to avoid disclosing SAR filings.  

B. Responsibility for AML Records and SAR Filing

Our AML Compliance Officer and his or her designee will be responsible to ensure that AML records are maintained properly and that any SARs are filed as required.

C. Records Required

As part of our AML program, the Africa Prepay & Partners will create and maintain SAR and other relevant documentation on applicant identity and verification (see Section IV above) and fund transfers and transmittals as well as any records related to applicants listed on the OFAC list.  We will maintain SAR and their accompanying documentation for at least five years.

IX. Training Programs

The Africa Prepay & its covenant partners offer ongoing training opportunities at the annual Covenant Partner Conference or through appropriate third party training services.

We will review our operations to see if certain officers or employees require specialized additional training.  Our written procedures will be updated to reflect any such changes.

X. Program to Test AML Program

Annual testing of our AML program will be performed either by qualified independent third party or internally by a qualified officer of Africa Prepay & Partners.  The annual testing will include an audit of our compliance with our AML program.

The auditor will issue a report of the auditor's findings upon completion of their audit to the Board Treasurer.  We will address each of the resulting recommendations.

XI. Monitoring Employee Conduct and Accounts

We will subject employee money service transactions to the same AML procedures as applicant accounts, under the supervision of the AML Compliance Officer.  The AML Compliance Officer's accounts will be reviewed by a qualified member of the Africa Prepay & Partners officers.

XII. Confidential Reporting of AML Non-Compliance

Employees will report any violations of the firm's AML compliance program to the AML Compliance Officer, unless the violations implicate the Compliance Officer, in which case the employee shall report to an appropriate member of senior management.  Such reports will be confidential, and the employee will suffer no retaliation for making them.

XIII. Additional Areas of Risk

Africa Prepay & Partners has reviewed all areas of its business to identify potential money laundering risks that may not be covered in the procedures described above and is continually working to improve its AML program.


XIV. Board of Directors Approval

The Board of Directors have approved this AML program as reasonably designed to achieve and monitor Africa Prepay & Partners ongoing compliance with the requirements of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network extension of the Anti-Money Laundering requirements for non-banks.

Signed: _______________________            Date: _________________________

Name: ________________________

Title: _________________________

 

Appendix I. Suspicious Activity Report

Suspicious Activity Report http://bsaefiling.fincen.treas.gov/main.html

 


Appendix II.

 

CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FORM

(USA Patriot Act Section 326)

 

Borrower’s Name: ____________________________________________

 

Residential Street Address:_____________________________________________________

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires us to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who applies for financial services from The Africa Prepay  for Housing.  We will ask for your name, address and other information that will allow us to identify you.  We may also ask to see your driver's license or other identifying documents.

For persons without a SSN/TIN, the ID number must be from one of the following: passport, alien ID card, or any other government issued document issued document evidencing nationality or residence and bearing a photograph or similar safeguard.  At least two forms of identification must be presented and documented. For applications taken in person, at least one “Primary” form of ID must be used. For all other applications, any combination of Primary and Secondary Ids may be used. Complete a separate form for each Borrower.

 

Primary Forms of ID - must display Borrower’s Name Document Country/State of Origin

 

ID Number___________________________________________

Date of Birth__________________________________________

Expiration____________________________________________

Date________________________________________________

 

[ ] State Issued Driver License

[ ] State Issued ID Card

[ ] Military ID Card

[ ] Passport

[ ] US Alien Registration Card

[ ] Canadian Driver License

 

Secondary Forms of ID – must display Borrower’s Name

 

ID Number___________________________________________

Date of Birth__________________________________________

Expiration____________________________________________

Date________________________________________________

 

[ ] Social Security Card U.S. Government

[ ] Government Issued Visa

[ ] Birth Certificate

[ ] Non-US/Canadian Driver License

[ ] Most Recent Signed Tax Returns [ ] Fed [ ] State

[ ] Voter Registration Card

[ ] Organizational Membership Card

[ ] Bank/Investment/Loan Statements

[ ] Paycheck stub with name

[ ] Most Recent W-2

[ ] Home/car/renter insurance papers

[ ] Recent utility bill

 

I certify that I have personally viewed and accurately recorded the information from the documents identified above, and have reasonably confirmed the identity of the applicant.

 

Africa Prepay  Representative Signature: ________________________________________

Date: ______________________

Africa Prepay  Representative Name: ____________________________________________