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Watchlist Categories

Within the service, profile records in watchlists are categorised into the following main categories and subcategories. The availability of these categories and subcategories depends on your subscription to the relevant data sources.

Categories for Individuals

Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Tiers

Individuals who hold prominent public positions and may be at a higher risk for corruption.

PEPs may be further categorised into 3 different tiers depending on their level of risk exposure:

CategoryDescription
PEP Tier 1Represents:
  • Head of state and their deputies
  • Head and members of government (national level in unitary states; sub-federal/state level in federations; supranational level European Commission, Europe Council) and their deputies
  • Heads and top commanders of the armed forces - armed forces joint command members, commanders of the main branches of the armed forces
  • Members of the legislature (national level in unitary states; sub-federal/state level in federations; supranational level European Parliament)
  • Heads and members of last-instance courts (supreme, constitutional, high, European Court of Justice, specialised courts)
  • Heads and members of central banks and court of auditors (national level in unitary states; sub-federal/state level in federations; supranational level European Court of Auditors)
  • Party leaders and executive council members (Parties represented in the national parliament of unitary states and in the federal and sub-federal parliaments in federations)
PEP Tier 2Represents:
  • Senior diplomats (ambassadors, high-commissioners, charge d'affaires, permanent representatives)
  • Heads and board members of the executive bodies of international organisations established by treaty (the highest governing bodies of ARI list of organisations)
  • Members of the board of directors of SOEs, top executives (C-level)
  • Senior officials (e.g. high-ranking civil servants, director generals, directors, heads of units) of agencies and boards appointed by the head of state, the government (cabinet and ministries) and the parliament
  • Members of executive (e.g. governor, prefect) bodies at sub-national level in unitary states and below sub-federal level in federal jurisdictions
  • Members of legislative (e.g. aldermen, councillors) bodies at sub-national level in unitary states and below sub-federal level in federal jurisdictions
  • Mayor of capital city and large municipalities (megapolis)
  • Judges, justices, magistrates, prosecutors, attorneys in courts with jurisdiction at sub-national level in unitary states and below the sub-federal level in federations
  • Commanders of major national military units (battalions, brigades, flotillas, bases)
PEP Tier 3Represents:
  • Middle ranking diplomats (minister-counsellors, councillors, 1st Secretaries and 2nd Secretaries) and low-ranking diplomats (attaché)
  • Mayor, council member and senior officials of medium to small municipality.
Former PEPDefined as the natural persons who served in a relevant PEP position within the past 12 months (or a longer period as defined by the national PEP definition)

Relatives and Close Associates (RCA)

Relatives or Close Associates refer to individuals who have a close relationship with a politically exposed person (PEP). This can include family members such as spouses, children, parents, siblings, as well as close friends, business associates, and other individuals who have a significant connection to the PEP.

Profile of Interest (POI)

Profile of Interest is a category designed to capture legacy data of PEPs who served on relevant PEP positions more than 12 months ago, as well as legacy data of profiles which no longer fits the new Reputational Risk Exposure methodology. This includes individuals whose appointments have not been reinstated for a period of 10 years after their status was updated to Former PEP.

Special Interest Persons (SIP)

Special Interest Persons refer to individuals who have been identified as being involved in activities that may pose a higher risk for money laundering, terrorism financing or various financial related crimes. These are grouped into the following subcategories.

CategoryDescription
Sanctions ListsPersons appearing on official financial sanctions lists who are involved, or suspected of being involved, in illegal activities.
Law EnforcementPersons appearing on an official law enforcement public domain site as either wanted, investigated, or arrested by an official law enforcement body or the police; or individuals or entities charged, prosecuted, convicted and/or sentenced by a competent criminal court that constitutes a criminal act.
Regulatory EnforcementPersons listed on an official regulatory enforcement public domain site against whom official regulatory administrative action has been taken by a government or independent regulatory agency responsible for the supervision and oversight of specific administrative regulations or rules for breaches of said rules and regulations.
Bribery & CorruptionPersons involved or alleged to have been involved in criminal activity relating to bribery and corruption, including being bribed, bribing another person (including facilitation payments), bribing a foreign public official, failure of a relevant commercial organisation to prevent bribery, and corrupt practices.
Cyber CrimePersons involved or alleged to have been involved in criminal activity relating to cybercrime, including identity theft, scams, hacking, and credit card or payment fraud.
Disqualified DirectorsIndividuals that have been disqualified as acting as company directors (for UK only).
End Use ControlAn end use control incident occurs when an entity involved in exporting dual-use or military technology, which has both commercial and military applications, poses a heightened risk of breaching non-proliferation rules. End users, typically foreign entities that ultimately utilise these exported items, may not be intermediaries but could be purchasers or financiers..
Environmental CrimeAn environmental crime incident involves individuals or groups attempting, committing, or conspiring to systematically and wilfully engage in illegal acts that directly harm the environment for personal gain. These acts exploit, damage, trade, or steal natural resources, violating international, local, or extraterritorial environmental laws.
A key aspect is the organised, systemic approach to wrongfully contaminate the atmosphere, soil, or water with harmful substances, securing financial advantages through profit or cost avoidance. Such pollution is likely to adversely affect the natural environment or life.
A key aspect is the organised, systemic approach to wrongfully contaminate the atmosphere, soil, or water with harmful substances, securing financial advantages through profit or cost avoidance. Such pollution is likely to adversely affect the natural environment or life.
Examples include dumping industrial waste in water bodies, illicitly trading hazardous waste, trafficking endangered species, smuggling ozone-depleting substances, and illegal logging. The category also covers incidents determined by courts to be criminally negligent acts.
Financial CrimePersons involved or alleged to have been involved in criminal activity relating to financial crime, including financial and non-financial fraud, money laundering, tax offences, embezzlement, counterfeiting of currency, high-value theft and robbery, insider trading, unexplained wealth orders / interim assets freeze, and failure to comply with relevant financial regulations.
FugitiveA fugitive incident involves a person who flees a jurisdiction or prison to avoid arrest, prosecution for a crime, imprisonment, or to avoid giving testimony in any criminal proceeding.
GamblingA gambling operation incident involves individuals or groups attempting, committing, or conspiring to conduct, finance, manage, supervise, direct, or own part of an illegal, organised gambling business. These operations, also known as illegal gaming, demonstrate a systemic approach likely to involve illicit fund flows through the financial system, posing heightened abuse risks. They may further organised crime, terrorism financing, or other AML predicate offences. Unorganised or low-risk gambling operations are excluded.
Human Rights ViolationA human rights violation incident involves individuals or groups attempting, committing, or conspiring to violate fundamental rights established by international agreements, conventions, customs, or national laws. These rights, acknowledged by authoritative institutions like governments, the UN, EU, or NGOs, include life, freedom from torture, fair trial, assembly, religion, expression, and freedom from slavery or arbitrary arrest.
This category also encompasses crimes against humanity, where individuals or groups knowingly participate in widespread, systematic attacks against civilians, as directed by organisations or states. Examples include apartheid, forced population transfers, enforced disappearances, enslavement, extermination, genocide, murder, persecution based on group identity, sexual violence, and torture.
Such violations often further political destabilisation, terrorism, conflicts, or organised crime, posing elevated financial system abuse risks.
InsolvencyIndividuals that have been declared as bankrupt or insolvent (for UK and Ireland only).
Interstate Commerce ViolationAn interstate commerce incident involves an individual or a group that attempts, commits, or conspires to unlawfully purchase, sell, or exchange of commodities, money or goods through transport by land or water in contravention of interstate laws and regulations, the prescribed laws of the subject legal jurisdiction, or in violation of any extraterritorial laws to which the entity is subject.
Interstate commerce includes the movement of goods and services across U.S. state borders.
Labour ViolationA labour violation incident involves individuals or groups attempting, committing, or conspiring to violate laws that define and protect employee rights from employer retaliation. These violations include interfering with employee rights or labour organisation formation, discriminating in hiring or tenure, influencing union membership, refusing collective bargaining, violating child labour laws, and breaching labour laws to secure financial advantages. Key criteria are wilful intent for material gain and likelihood of illicit fund flows through the financial system, posing heightened abuse risks.
The category excludes violations that are unlikely to involve such flows and civil labour claims.
Modern SlaveryPersons involved or alleged to have been involved in criminal activity relating to modern slavery, including human trafficking and exploitation, labour trafficking and exploitation, and sex trafficking and exploitation.
Narcotics CrimePersons involved or alleged to have been involved in criminal activity relating to narcotics, including production, trafficking and distribution of drugs.
Organised CrimePersons involved or alleged to have been involved in criminal activity relating to organised crime, including illicit arms trafficking, smuggling or illicit trafficking in goods, and organised crime groups, gangs and syndicates.
Pharma TrackingA pharmaceutical products trafficking incident involves individuals or groups attempting, committing, or conspiring to engage in the organised, systemic manufacture, trade, transport, and distribution of fake, stolen, or illicit medicines and medical devices. This activity contravenes international laws, local jurisdiction's prescribed laws, or any applicable extraterritorial laws.
The category excludes single instances of selling pharmaceutical products and small-scale prescription drug sales.
PiracyA piracy incident involves individuals or groups attempting, committing, or conspiring to engage in criminal acts of violence, detention, or depredation. These acts, perpetrated by crew or passengers of a private ship or aircraft, are directed against another vessel or its persons or property on the high seas for private benefit.
The category includes incidents outside a state's sovereign maritime borders, under universal jurisdiction where states or international organisations can claim criminal jurisdiction regardless of the crime's location. It specifically includes maritime piracy in international waters and incidents involving vessels at sea or on rivers.
Reputational RiskIndividuals that have been involved or alleged to have been involved in activities which exposes a risk in reputation.
Unauthorised IncidentAn unauthorised incident involves entities not officially permitted, approved, or licensed by a regulatory authority to practice, sell, advise, provide services, or engage in other regulated activities within a specified jurisdiction.
War CrimeA war crime incident involves individuals or groups that have been indicted, wanted, accused, or charged by national governments or international organisations for attempting, committing, or conspiring to violate laws, treaties, customs, or practices governing military or armed conflict between international and non-international states or parties.
This consolidated category also includes incidents involving unlawful manufacture, possession, sale, delivery, display, use, threat to use, or making readily accessible CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear) weapons or high explosives. These weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), also known as ABC (atomic, biological, or chemical) weapons, are capable of high-order destruction, causing death or serious harm to large numbers of people, or mass destruction to human-made or natural structures.
Examples of war crimes include atrocities against persons or property, murder or ill-treatment of civilians, prisoners of war, or hostages, biological experiments, plunder, wanton destruction of cities, and unjustified devastation. War crimes may be committed by government forces, irregular forces, political leaders, judiciary members, or industrialists.
OtherIndividuals involved with other alleged offences related to any of the above categories but without evidence of official action by relevant national or foreign authorities.
Custom WatchlistIndividuals that have been listed in your organisation's self managed custom watchlist.

Terror/Terrorism (TER)

Terrorism encompasses acts of politically or socially motivated violence perpetrated by individuals, organised groups, or lone actors who aim to influence governmental or international organisational policies and populations through fear and coercion. This includes domestic extremism, state-sponsored violence, and ideologically driven attacks across both single and multiple territories. Key identifiers include: membership in recognised terrorist organisations, involvement in activities dangerous to human life or property, and actions intended to further specific political or social objectives.

Former PEP

Former PEPs are individuals who have previously held a prominent public function, typically a senior role, but no longer does. Despite leaving office, these individuals may still pose a risk due to their potential for corruption and the informal influence they retain.

There is no globally accepted timeframe for how long someone retains their PEP status, with some jurisdictions, like the EU, mandating a minimum of 12 months. Other institutions, such as the FATF, advocate for an open-ended, risk-based approach that considers factors like the individual's previous role, potential for continued influence, and the level of corruption in their country.


Categories for Corporates

Profile of Interest (POI)

Profile of Interest is a category designed to capture legacy data of profiles which no longer fits the new Reputational Risk Exposure methodology.

Special Interest Entities (SIE)

Special Interest Entities refer to organisations that have been identified as being involved in activities that may pose a higher risk for money laundering, terrorism financing or various financial related crimes. These are grouped into the following subcategories.

CategoryDescription
Sanctions ListsEntities appearing on official financial sanctions lists what are involved, or suspected of being involved, in illegal activities.
Law EnforcementEntities appearing on an official law enforcement public domain site as either wanted, investigated, or arrested by an official law enforcement body or the police; or individuals or entities charged, prosecuted, convicted and/or sentenced by a competent criminal court that constitutes a criminal act.
Regulatory EnforcementEntities listed on an official regulatory enforcement public domain site against whom official regulatory administrative action has been taken by a government or independent regulatory agency responsible for the supervision and oversight of specific administrative regulations or rules for breaches of said rules and regulations.
Bribery & CorruptionEntities involved or alleged to have been involved in criminal activity relating to bribery and corruption, including being bribed, bribing another person (including facilitation payments), bribing a foreign public official, failure of a relevant commercial organisation to prevent bribery, and corrupt practices.
Cyber CrimeEntities involved or alleged to have been involved in criminal activity relating to cybercrime, including identity theft, scams, hacking, and credit card or payment fraud.
Disqualified DirectorsEntities that are associated with company directors who have been disqualified or professionally suspended (for UK only).
End Use ControlAn end use control incident occurs when an entity involved in exporting dual-use or military technology, which has both commercial and military applications, poses a heightened risk of breaching non-proliferation rules. End users, typically foreign entities that ultimately utilise these exported items, may not be intermediaries but could be purchasers or financiers..
Environmental CrimeAn environmental crime incident involves individuals or groups attempting, committing, or conspiring to systematically and wilfully engage in illegal acts that directly harm the environment for personal gain. These acts exploit, damage, trade, or steal natural resources, violating international, local, or extraterritorial environmental laws.
A key aspect is the organised, systemic approach to wrongfully contaminate the atmosphere, soil, or water with harmful substances, securing financial advantages through profit or cost avoidance. Such pollution is likely to adversely affect the natural environment or life.
A key aspect is the organised, systemic approach to wrongfully contaminate the atmosphere, soil, or water with harmful substances, securing financial advantages through profit or cost avoidance. Such pollution is likely to adversely affect the natural environment or life.
Examples include dumping industrial waste in water bodies, illicitly trading hazardous waste, trafficking endangered species, smuggling ozone-depleting substances, and illegal logging. The category also covers incidents determined by courts to be criminally negligent acts.
Financial CrimeEntities involved or alleged to have been involved in criminal activity relating to financial crime, including financial and non-financial fraud, money laundering, tax offences, embezzlement, counterfeiting of currency, high-value theft and robbery, insider trading, unexplained wealth orders / interim assets freeze, and failure to comply with relevant financial regulations.
FugitiveA fugitive incident involves a person who flees a jurisdiction or prison to avoid arrest, prosecution for a crime, imprisonment, or to avoid giving testimony in any criminal proceeding.
GamblingA gambling operation incident involves individuals or groups attempting, committing, or conspiring to conduct, finance, manage, supervise, direct, or own part of an illegal, organised gambling business. These operations, also known as illegal gaming, demonstrate a systemic approach likely to involve illicit fund flows through the financial system, posing heightened abuse risks. They may further organised crime, terrorism financing, or other AML predicate offences. Unorganised or low-risk gambling operations are excluded.
Human Rights ViolationA human rights violation incident involves individuals or groups attempting, committing, or conspiring to violate fundamental rights established by international agreements, conventions, customs, or national laws. These rights, acknowledged by authoritative institutions like governments, the UN, EU, or NGOs, include life, freedom from torture, fair trial, assembly, religion, expression, and freedom from slavery or arbitrary arrest.
This category also encompasses crimes against humanity, where individuals or groups knowingly participate in widespread, systematic attacks against civilians, as directed by organisations or states. Examples include apartheid, forced population transfers, enforced disappearances, enslavement, extermination, genocide, murder, persecution based on group identity, sexual violence, and torture.
Such violations often further political destabilisation, terrorism, conflicts, or organised crime, posing elevated financial system abuse risks.
InsolvencyEntities that have been declared as bankrupt or insolvent (for UK and Ireland only).
Interstate Commerce ViolationAn interstate commerce incident involves an individual or a group that attempts, commits, or conspires to unlawfully purchase, sell, or exchange of commodities, money or goods through transport by land or water in contravention of interstate laws and regulations, the prescribed laws of the subject legal jurisdiction, or in violation of any extraterritorial laws to which the entity is subject.
Interstate commerce includes the movement of goods and services across U.S. state borders.
Labour ViolationA labour violation incident involves individuals or groups attempting, committing, or conspiring to violate laws that define and protect employee rights from employer retaliation. These violations include interfering with employee rights or labour organisation formation, discriminating in hiring or tenure, influencing union membership, refusing collective bargaining, violating child labour laws, and breaching labour laws to secure financial advantages. Key criteria are wilful intent for material gain and likelihood of illicit fund flows through the financial system, posing heightened abuse risks.
The category excludes violations that are unlikely to involve such flows and civil labour claims.
Modern SlaveryEntities involved or alleged to have been involved in criminal activity relating to modern slavery, including human trafficking and exploitation, labour trafficking and exploitation, and sex trafficking and exploitation.
Narcotics CrimeEntities involved or alleged to have been involved in criminal activity relating to narcotics, including production, trafficking and distribution of drugs.
Organised CrimeEntities involved or alleged to have been involved in criminal activity relating to organised crime, including illicit arms trafficking, smuggling or illicit trafficking in goods, and organised crime groups, gangs and syndicates.
OtherEntities involved with other alleged offences related to any of the above categories but without evidence of official action by relevant national or foreign authorities.
Pharma TrackingA pharmaceutical products trafficking incident involves individuals or groups attempting, committing, or conspiring to engage in the organised, systemic manufacture, trade, transport, and distribution of fake, stolen, or illicit medicines and medical devices. This activity contravenes international laws, local jurisdiction's prescribed laws, or any applicable extraterritorial laws.
The category excludes single instances of selling pharmaceutical products and small-scale prescription drug sales.
PiracyA piracy incident involves individuals or groups attempting, committing, or conspiring to engage in criminal acts of violence, detention, or depredation. These acts, perpetrated by crew or passengers of a private ship or aircraft, are directed against another vessel or its persons or property on the high seas for private benefit.
The category includes incidents outside a state's sovereign maritime borders, under universal jurisdiction where states or international organisations can claim criminal jurisdiction regardless of the crime's location. It specifically includes maritime piracy in international waters and incidents involving vessels at sea or on rivers.
Reputational RiskEntities involved or alleged to have been involved in activities which exposes a risk in reputation.
Unauthorised IncidentAn unauthorised incident involves entities not officially permitted, approved, or licensed by a regulatory authority to practice, sell, advise, provide services, or engage in other regulated activities within a specified jurisdiction.
War CrimeA war crime incident involves individuals or groups that have been indicted, wanted, accused, or charged by national governments or international organisations for attempting, committing, or conspiring to violate laws, treaties, customs, or practices governing military or armed conflict between international and non-international states or parties.
This consolidated category also includes incidents involving unlawful manufacture, possession, sale, delivery, display, use, threat to use, or making readily accessible CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear) weapons or high explosives. These weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), also known as ABC (atomic, biological, or chemical) weapons, are capable of high-order destruction, causing death or serious harm to large numbers of people, or mass destruction to human-made or natural structures.
Examples of war crimes include atrocities against persons or property, murder or ill-treatment of civilians, prisoners of war, or hostages, biological experiments, plunder, wanton destruction of cities, and unjustified devastation. War crimes may be committed by government forces, irregular forces, political leaders, judiciary members, or industrialists.
Custom WatchlistEntities that have been listed in your organisation's self managed custom watchlist.

Terror/Terrorism (TER)

Terrorism encompasses acts of politically or socially motivated violence perpetrated by individuals, organised groups, or lone actors who aim to influence governmental or international organisational policies and populations through fear and coercion. This includes domestic extremism, state-sponsored violence, and ideologically driven attacks across both single and multiple territories. Key identifiers include: membership in recognised terrorist organisations, involvement in activities dangerous to human life or property, and actions intended to further specific political or social objectives.

State Owned Enterprises (SOE)

A State-Owned Enterprise is a government-owned corporate entity recognised by national law, where the state holds full, majority, or significant minority ownership. SOEs include joint stock companies, limited liability companies, and statutory corporations engaged in economic activities, often with government representation on their boards. Defined by the OECD, this classification helps meet Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance, as board members of SOEs may qualify as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) based on the level of state control.

Former State Owned Enterprises

The Former SOE category includes entities that were previously owned or controlled by a government but have since undergone privatisation, restructuring, or other changes in ownership status. These entities may no longer be under direct state control or influence, yet their historical background as SOEs can still provide valuable context for monitoring and analysis purposes.

Consolidated Categories

Official watchlist consisting of Sanctions, Financial Regulation and Law Enforcement which apply to both Individual and Corporate entities:

Official Lists (SIP & SIE)

CategoryDescription
Sanction ListsSanctions are restrictive measures imposed by an international body, multilateral agency, or national government to achieve a desired outcome. They can be imposed on a regime, organisation or individual. Sanctions range from multilateral programmes, such as those imposed by the UN or EU, to unilateral sanctions enacted by individual nations like Australia, Japan, and Switzerland. These are divided into the following levels for screening scope:
  • All Sanctions Lists
  • Major Sanctions Lists
    • DFAT - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    • EU - European Union Council
    • HMT - Her Majesty's Treasury/Office of Financial Sanction Implementation
    • OFAC - Office of Foreign Assets Control
    • UNSC - United Nations Security Council
  • International sanctions lists e.g. Consolidated Sanctions List, Asian Development Bank
  • Sanctions by country e.g. Australia, New Zealand, Japan
  • Sanctions lists by country e.g. Austrac, Australian National Security, New Zealand Police Force, Japan Ministry of Finance etc.

Law EnforcementPersons or entities appearing on an official law enforcement public domain site as either wanted, investigated, or arrested by an official law enforcement body or the police; or individuals or entities charged, prosecuted, convicted and/or sentenced by a competent criminal court that constitutes a criminal act.
Regulatory EnforcementPersons or entities listed on an official regulatory enforcement public domain site against whom official regulatory administrative action has been taken by a government or independent regulatory agency responsible for the supervision and oversight of specific administrative regulations or rules for breaches of said rules and regulations.

Former Sanctions

The Former Sanctions category encompasses entities that were once listed on international, regional or national sanctions lists but have since been removed from active sanction status due to various reasons such as compliance with imposed conditions, resolution of conflicts, or changes in geopolitical situations. These entities, although no longer subject to restrictive measures, may still be of interest for monitoring purposes given their historical involvement in activities that led to their initial listing.