Guidance to accompany the SAR Glossary of Terms
The SAR Glossary of Terms has been devised as a result of feedback from reporters who submit suspicious activity reports, and end-users of these reports. This feedback has identified a shared desire to have common terms for categorising suspicious activity within the reports which are submitted. It is anticipated that the use of the glossary will significantly enhance the capabilities of end-users to utilise submissions from reporters and will also reduce the amount of effort expended by reporters in completing SARs.
The descriptors and definitions contained in the glossary are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of the reasons a reporter might have knowledge or suspicion of money laundering. Where the reason for a reporter’s knowledge or suspicion is not captured by one or more of the descriptors then the reporter should use the “Other” descriptor with prefix XXO7XX and state clearly what information has given rise to the report.
The ‘money laundering in action’ term XXS1XX has been included to allow reporters who are NOT seeking consent for the purposes of s.335 POCA to flag suspicious money laundering activity which they believe requires immediate Law Enforcement attention.
When submitting a SAR, the relevant search prefix(es) taken from the glossary should be included in the free text space provided for in the ‘Reason for Suspicion/Knowledge’. (Note: if more than one prefix applies – please include these in your report). The prefixes should be included as they are in the Glossary, without spaces
In the example shown below, the suspicion relates to under-declaration of personal income tax on undisclosed funds hence the prefix used is XXF4XX.
Whenever possible, the search prefix(es) (e.g. XXF4XX) should always be used in addition to the glossary term.
We anticipate that all systems should support the use of the XX device.
Suspected terrorist related SARs should continue to be reported under the provisions of the Terrorism Act 2000, and lie outside the scope of this glossary.
If you have any queries please email UKFIUIntel@soca.x.gsi.gov.uk
Download print-friendly SAR Glossary of Terms [.pdf, 200 KB]
SAR GLOSSARY of TERMS and SEARCH PREFIX
IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
- XXS1XX
- Money Laundering in Action:
SAR which the reporter considers requires the immediate attention of a law enforcement agency. - XXS99XX
- Consent:
SAR where the reporter is seeking appropriate consent under S335 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS
- XXS2XX
- Previously Reported Subject:
SAR relating to a previously reported suspicious person, company, firm, organisation or other entity. - XXS3XX
- International Transaction:
SAR where the funds/assets are leaving or entering the U.K. - XXS4XX
- Significant Transaction:
SAR relating to significant funds (based on reporter's knowledge of account/business) being deposited or withdrawn - XXS5XX
- Dormant Account:
SAR relating to the use of a dormant bank account - XXS6XX
- Client Business Activity:
SAR relating to the misuse of the client's legitimate business activity or suspected 'front' business activity - XXS7XX
- Third Party:
SAR relating to the third party use of the subject's bank account (including bank accounts held in trust e.g. for children) - XXS8XX
- Early Redemption:
SAR relating to the early redemption of a loan, insurance policy, mortgage, etc. - XXS9XX
- Placement:
SAR relating to the suspected placement of cash.
FISCAL
- XXF1XX
- Benefit Fraud:
SAR where benefit fraud is suspected - XXF2XX
- Excise Fraud:
SAR relating to the evasion of excise duty on alcohol, tobacco, fuel, etc. - XXF3XX
- Tax Fraud - Corporate:
SAR relating to Tax evasion - Business - XXF4XX
- Tax Fraud - Personal:
SAR relating to Tax evasion - Personal - XXF5XX
- VAT Fraud:
SAR relating to VAT e.g. Carousel fraud/Missing Trader Intra-Community (MTIC) fraud, Repayment fraud
NON FISCAL
- XXN1XX
- Counterfeit Goods:
SAR relating to benefit obtained from transacting counterfeit goods - XXN2XX
- Deception:
SAR relating to for example the fraudulent use of cheques or credit cards - XXN3XX
- False Accounting:
SAR relating to false accounting - XXN4XX
- Use of False Documents:
SAR relating to the use of false documents - XXN5XX
- Market Abuse:
SAR relating to market abuse - XXN6XX
- Insolvency:
SAR relating to insolvency (including where the Reporter's suspicions are raised in the course of carrying out the role of Administrator or Liquidator)
OTHER SUSPECTED PREDICATE CRIME
- XXC1XX
- Child Exploitation:
SAR relating to the exploitation of a child (U18), for any purpose (but for exploitation of bank accounts held in trust for children see glossary term XXS7XX) - XXC2XX
- Corruption :
SAR relating to anyone suspected of abusing their position, either within the public or private sector, for personal gain. - XXC3XX
- Illegal Immigration:
SAR relating to illegal immigration - XXC5XX
- Theft:
SAR relating to benefit derived from theft - XXC6XX
- Unlawful Drugs:
SAR relating to unlawful trade in drugs
OTHER SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY OF INTEREST
- XXO1XX
- Charities:
SAR relating to the use of charities (includes Clubs and Societies set up with pooled funds) - XXO2XX
- Gambling:
SAR relating to the use of gambling or any other relevant common description (e.g. betting) - XXO3XX
- High Tech Crime:
SAR relating to the use of computer systems, or other technologies, as a way to launder money or commit fraud - XXO4XX
- Real Estate:
SAR relating to the use of a house or other building, or property purchase, sale or rental - XXO5XX
- IVTS:
SAR relating to the use of Informal Value Transmission Services, or other term commonly used to describe these activities such as, Hawala (phonetic) Banking, Hundi, or Peso Exchange, etc. - XXO6XX
- PEP:
SAR relating to a Politically Exposed Person - XXO7XX
- Other:
SAR where above Glossary terms for reporting suspicion do not apply
Revised 18th July
(Version 0.4)