AML basics — clean money rules

Why this lesson exists

AML = anti-money-laundering — world rules against dirty money (crime money, corruption money, sanctions evasion). The UAE takes AML very seriously. Companies like ours — corporate service providers — are officially part of the defense line. The law calls such businesses DNFBP (designated non-financial businesses and professions).

THIS MEANS. We MUST check our clients. It is not optional politeness. It is law.

The words you must know

• KYC («know your client») — checking who the client is: passport, background, story.
• KYB («know your business») — the same for a company: who owns it, what it does.
• UBO (ultimate beneficial owner) — the real human owner at the end of any chain of companies. Regulators always ask: «Who is the UBO?»
• goAML — the UAE government portal where regulated businesses register and send AML reports. METATRIA is registered there.
• MLRO — money-laundering reporting officer: the person responsible for AML. In METATRIA this responsibility sits with the director.
• Sanctions screening — checking a person or company against official sanctions lists (UN, EU, US OFAC, UK, UAE local list).
• PEP — politically exposed person (a politician, high official, or their close family). PEP clients need extra checks — not forbidden, but «handle with care».
• Red flag — a warning sign in a client's story. Examples: client refuses to explain source of funds; strange third-party payments; documents look edited.

Your practical rules (entry level)

1. Every new client goes through onboarding checks BEFORE we take their money. No exceptions, even for «friends of friends».
2. You NEVER promise a client to «skip the checks» or «find a way around compliance».
3. You see a red flag → you do not accuse anyone → you quietly report it to your senior. Reporting inside the company is safe and expected.
4. We check clients only through legal, public, licensed sources. Using leaked databases or «insider info brokers» is a crime in the UAE (Cybercrime Law). We never do it.

What you must remember

• We are DNFBP: client checks are our legal duty.
• Know: KYC, KYB, UBO, goAML, MLRO, sanctions, PEP, red flag.
• Checks before money. No workarounds. Red flag → tell senior quietly.
• Only legal and public sources. Always.