PEPs (Politically Exposed Persons) are individuals who hold or have held prominent public positions, such as government officials, judges or military leaders. Due to their influence and access, they are considered higher risk for involvement in financial crimes like money laundering or bribery. Sanctions refer to legal restrictions placed on individuals, entities or countries by governments or international bodies to prevent illegal activities such as terrorism financing or corruption.
PEPS & Sanctions
Screen out risky business
Know exactly who you're dealing with, screening for high-risk individuals and businesses before onboarding.
Flag high-risk customers
Screen identities against the latest national and global profiles and lists at customer onboarding.
Reduce false positives
Remove false flags and fast-track trusted customers with fully configurable screening algorithms.
Ongoing monitoring and protection
Automate in-life customer screening for status changes and continue to protect your business.
Onboarding controls for high-risk customers
Screening identities for PEPs (politically exposed persons), sanctioned countries, businesses and individuals is essential risk assessment. Protect your business reputation while reducing false positives with automated onboarding.
Connect safely with every genuine identity
For seamless onboarding and the fastest journeys possible, we offer expertly managed solutions for all your digital identity verification needs.
GBG Trust Network
Connect to billions of identity insights from beyond your business so you can make the right customer decisions in real time.
GBG Go
Connect with every genuine customer with the all-in-one identity platform for fast, easy and safe business growth around the world.
Frequently asked questions about peps and sanctions
What are PEPs and sanctions?
What is PEPs and sanctions screening?
PEPs and sanctions screening is a compliance process that checks individuals and businesses against global watchlists, sanctions databases and adverse media sources. This helps organizations identify high-risk entities during onboarding and throughout the customer lifecycle. Our solution automates this process, reducing false positives and ensuring regulatory compliance.
What is the PEPs and sanctions screening process?
The screening process involves:
- Initial checks during customer onboarding against global PEP profiles and sanctions lists (e.g., UN, EU, OFAC).
- Automated monitoring for changes in status or new risks.
- Smart algorithms to reduce false positives and streamline compliance.
- Audit trails for regulatory reporting and due diligence.
Why are PEPs considered high risk?
PEPs are considered high risk because their positions can be exploited for illicit activities such as corruption, bribery or money laundering. Their access to public funds and influence over policy decisions increases the potential for abuse. Even close associates of PEPs may pose similar risks, making thorough screening essential.
Why are PEPs and sanctions checks important?
These checks are vital for:
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance.
- Preventing financial crime and protecting business reputation.
- Avoiding regulatory fines and ensuring global compliance. Our screening tools help businesses stay compliant while efficiently managing risk.
