ACAMS Updated CAMS Exam Questions and Answers by ayaat

 The Fourth European Union Directive on money laundering (AMLD4) requires member countries to maintain registries of the beneficial owners of legal entities, such as companies, trusts, foundations, etc. This is to ensure that the true identity and ownership of the customers and the natural persons on whose behalf transactions are conducted are known to the obliged entities, such as banks, lawyers, accountants, etc., and to the competent authorities, such as regulators, supervisors, or law enforcement12. This requirement aims to prevent the misuse of legal entities for money laundering or terrorist financing purposes, and to enhance transparency andaccess to beneficial ownership information34.

 1: AMLD4, Article 30, 5; 2: AMLD4, Recital 25, 5; 3: AMLD4, Recital 26, 5; 4: AMLD4, Recital 27, 5.

Making payments via a company located in a jurisdiction that is known to have lax anti-money laundering controls is a sign of suspicious activity and should be reported. When making a payment of this nature, the insurance company should be aware of the client's source of funds and the possible risks associated with the transaction.

Here is the exact information from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Guidance for a Risk-Based Approach for Trust and Company Service Providers:

"Understanding the management and ownership structure of a trust is crucial in assessing the ML/TF risk it poses. This includes the identity of all settlors, trustees and beneficiaries, and their respective roles and responsibilities, as well as the nature and purpose of the trust."

"TCSPs should obtain and maintain up-to-date information on the purpose and intended nature of the business relationship, the source of funds and wealth, and where relevant, the source of funds or wealth of the settlor and beneficiaries."

Based on this information, the correct answers are A and D. Trust and Company Service Providers must understand the responsibility and authority in the structure, as well as the general purpose behind the structure in order to assess the overall risk of the trust and ensure that any transactions with the trust are legitimate.

The customer activity that poses the highest risk of money laundering is making multiple cash deposits slightly below a required reporting limit. This could indicate a practice known as structuring or smurfing, which is a method of breaking down large amounts of cash into smaller transactions to avoid detection or reporting by financial institutions12. Structuring is a common technique used by money launderers to conceal the source, ownership, or destination of illicit funds3.

The other options are not necessarily indicative of money laundering, although they may require further due diligence or monitoring depending on the customer profile and the nature of the transaction. For example:

Transferring funds to pay for flight training lessons could be a legitimate educational expense, or it could be related to terrorist financing or other criminal activities. The financial institution should verify the identity and background of the customer and the recipient, and check for any red flags or suspicious indicators4.

Paying a supplier of precious metals at regular quarterly intervals could be a normal business practice, or it could be a way of moving or storing value in an alternative asset class. The financial institution should assess the customer’s source of funds, business rationale, and market conditions, and monitor for any changes or inconsistencies.

Conducting business in a country that represents a high risk of money laundering could be a legitimate commercial opportunity, or it could be a sign of involvement in illicit activities or tax evasion. The financial institution should apply enhanced due diligence measures, such as verifying the identity and reputation of the customer and the counterparties, obtaining information on the purpose and nature of the business relationship, and screening for any sanctions or adverse media.

ACAMS CAMS Certification Video Training Course - Exam-Labs3

Exam CAMS: Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (the 6th edition)4

ACAMS Study Guide for the Certification Examination, 6th Edition, Chapter 2, page 29: https://www.acams.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ACAMS-Study-Guide-6th-Edition-Chapter-2.pdf

ACAMS Study Guide for the Certification Examination, 6th Edition, Chapter 6, page 121: https://www.acams.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ACAMS-Study-Guide-6th-Edition-Chapter-6.pdf

ACAMS Study Guide for the Certification Examination, 6th Edition, Chapter 7, page 139: https://www.acams.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ACAMS-Study-Guide-6th-Edition-Chapter-7.pdf

ACAMS Study Guide for the Certification Examination, 6th Edition, Chapter 4, page 77: https://www.acams.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ACAMS-Study-Guide-6th-Edition-Chapter-4.pdf