Department of Justice & Border Control

FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT

Protecting Nauru through financial intelligence
The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is a statutory body whose existence and mandate are continued by the Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions Act 2023 (Act).

WHAT WE DO

FIU is set up within the Department of Justice and Border Control and is responsible for performing its functions under the Act.
These functions include the following:
  1. enforcing the Act;
  2. supervising the compliance of reporting entities with the Act;
  3. receiving and analysing suspicious activity reports and other information available to it, whether by any means or under any law, in order to identify activity that may constitute or may relate to a financial crime or criminal conduct and to carry out any further investigations it considers necessary;
  4. disseminating information derived from analysis and reports of information received to domestic and foreign law enforcement bodies or foreign intelligence bodies;
  5. enquiring into conduct that constitutes as or relates to financial crime or is suspected to do so;
  6. conducting related inquiries, investigations, analysis and oversight;
  7. identifying, analysing and assessing on an ongoing basis financial crime trends, patterns and risks of relevance to the Republic, including in relation to new technologies, business practices and products;
  8. coordinating with supervisory authorities and other authorities in the Republic that have a role in combatting financial crime or criminal conduct;
  9. engaging in an arrangement, understanding or any mutual cooperation with similar foreign entities in other countries or international bodies on matters relating to financial crime or criminal conduct;
  10. commencing proceedings in any court established in the Republic for the purposes of enforcing any part of the Act or any other written law, in the performance of its functions;
  11. ensuring that reporting entities, supervisory authorities, other competent authorities and the public at large are adequately informed about the trends, patterns and risks of financial crime and the appropriate responses;
  12. performing other functions which may be given to the FIU by any written law, the Cabinet or the Minister.

UPDATES

Nauru has undergone its Mutual Evaluation (ME). The ME is a peer review process that measures Nauru’s compliance and effectiveness against the Financial Actions Task Force (FATF) 40 Recommendations on Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing.
In preparation for the ME, FIU worked closely with the Office of the Legislative Drafter on the drafting of new laws and the amendment of existing laws. Technical assistance was also provided by the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APGML) on the drafting and amendment of laws. This was done in accordance with the requirements of the FATF Recommendations to ensure that Nauru has legislation that meet international standards.
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions Act 2023 – repealed and replaced the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2008
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Suspicious Activity Report) Regulations 2023
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Record Keeping) Regulations 2023
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing) Regulations 2023
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Parallel Financial Investigations) Regulations 2024
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Amendment) Act 2024
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions Act 2023 – amending the Legal Practitioners Act 2019
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions Act 2023 – amending the Naoero Citizenship Act 2017
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions Act 2023 – amending the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime Act 2004;
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions Act 2023 – amending the Registration of Associations Act 2020;
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions Act 2023 – amending the Passports Regulations 2011;
  • AntiMoney Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Fit and Proper Person) Criteria 2023
  • AntiMoney Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Fit and Proper Person) Criteria as amended in March 2024;
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (High Risk Countries) Guideline 2023;
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Simplified Due Diligence) Guideline 2023;
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Simplified Due Diligence) Guideline as amended in September 2023;
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Simplified Due Diligence) Guideline as amended in March 2024;
  • Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2023;
  • Proceeds of Crime (Border Declaration Form) Regulations 2023;
  • Proceeds of Crime (Border Declaration Form) (Amendment) Regulations 2024;
  • Proceeds of Crime (Miscellaneous) Regulations 2023;
  • Proceeds of Crime (Miscellaneous) (Amendment) Regulations 2024;
  • Proceeds of Crime (Management and Disposal of Property) Regulations 2024;
  • Extradition (Designated Countries) Order 2023;
  • Extradition (Amendment) Act 2024
  • Consumer Protection Act 2024
  • Crimes (Amendment) Act 2024
  • Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Regulations 2023
  • Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime (Targeted Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2023
  • Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime (Amendment of the Schedule) Regulations 2023
  • Beneficial Ownership (Identity and Declaration) Regulations 2023
  • Beneficial Ownership (Identity and Declaration) Regulations 2023 – amending Section 5 of the Beneficial Ownership Act 2017
  • Beneficial Ownership (Identity and Declaration) Regulations 2023 – amending the Beneficial Ownership (Forms and Fees) Regulations 2018
  • Business Licences (Non-Operational Business Record Keeping) Regulations 2023
  • Business Licences (Non-Operational Business Record Keeping) Regulations 2023 amending the Business Names Registration Regulations 2018;
  • Business Licences (Non-Operational Business Record Keeping) Regulations 2023 amending the Partnership (Forms and Fees) Regulation 2021;
  • Business Licences (Non-Operational Business Record Keeping) Regulations 2023 amending the Corporation (Registration of Existing Companies) Regulations 1972;
  • Business Licences (Non-Operational Business Record Keeping) Regulations 2023 amending the Trusts (Forms and Fees) Regulations 2018;
  • Trusts (Trustee Duties) Regulations 2023;
  • Customs (Prohibited Exports) Order 2023;
  • Customs Regulations 2023
  • Customs (Brokers) Regulations 2024;
  • Fisheries Management Act 2024
  • Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Act 2024
  Bills currently under consultation which domesticate the FATF standards and will form part of the Nauru AML/CFT framework:  
  • Vessels Registration Bill 2024
  • Audit Bill 2024
  • Illicit Drugs Control (Amendment) Bill 2024
  • Guides, Policies, Strategies and other Supplementary Documents 

    • Nauru Financial Intelligence Unit – Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
    • SOP Directions 2023
    • SOP Directions 2018
    • National Strategy for Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism 2022-2025
    • Nauru’s Anti-Money Laundering and Proliferation Financing National Risk Assessment 2023
    • National Risk Assessment MLTF Nauru 2018
    • Strategic Analysis 2021 to 2023
    • Nauru Virtual Asset Service Provider Policy 2023
      • as amended February 2024
      • as amended April 2024
    • Cash Border Regulation Framework Guide 2023
    • Beneficial Ownership Guide 2023
      • as amended February 2024
    • Non-Government or Non-Profit Organisation Best Practice Guide 2023
      • as amended June 2024
    • Designated Non-Financial Business and Professions Customer Due Diligence Guideline 2023
    • Nauru Targeted Financial Sanctions Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Guide
      • as amended February 2024
    • Extradition Guide 2023
      • as amended February 2024
    • Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Guide 2023
      • as amended December 2023
      • as amended 20 March 2024
    • Registration and Licensing of Businesses, Partnerships, Corporations, Associations, Trusts, Private Security Information Sheet
    • United Nations Security Council Consolidated List
    • Circular – Non-Profit Organisations or Non-Profit Organisations Best Practice Guide
    • UNSC CL – Chamber of Commerce
    • UNSC CL – Customs
    • UNSC CL – Finance Department
    • UNSC CL – Justice and Border Control Department
    • UNSC CL – Law Firms
    • UNSC CL – Nauru Maritime and Ports Authority
    • UNSC CL – NPF and DPP
    • UNSC CL – OAG

Directions and SOP

Nauru FIU – Standard Operation Procedures

SOP Directions 2023

SOP Directions 2018

Laws

AML-TFS (Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing) (Amendment) Regulations 2024

Proceeds of Crime (Miscellaneous) (Amendment) Regulations 2024

POCA (Border Declaration Form) (Amendment) Regulations 2024

AML-TFS (Parallel Financial Investigations) Regulations 2024

AML-TFS (Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing) (Am) Regulations 2024

POCA (Management and Disposal of Property) Regulations 2024

Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Parallel Financial Investigation) Regulations 2024

Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions Act 2023 & Regulations

Proceeds of Crime Act 2004 & Regulations
Trusts (Trustee Duties) Regulations 2023
Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime (Amendment of the Schedule) Regulations 2023
Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime (Targeted Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2023
Beneficial Ownership Act 2017 & Regulations
Business Licences (Non-Operational Businesses Record Keeping) Regulations 2023
Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 2004 & Regulations

CIRCULARS

Circular – Non-Profit Organisations or Non-Profit Organisations Best Practice Guide

UNSC CL – Chamber of Commerce

UNSC CL – Customs

UNSC CL – Finance Department

UNSC CL – Justice and Border Control Department

UNSC CL – Law Firms

UNSC CL – Nauru Maritime and Ports Authority

UNSC CL – NPF and DPP

UNSC CL – OAG

UNSC CL – Western Union

UNSC CL – Border Control

Publications

UPDATED UN CONSOLIDATED LIST ISSUEDON 17/9/20 (USA TIKME) 18/9/24 (NAURU TIME)
Update on Nauru’s Mutual Evaluation
National Strategy for Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism

Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Fit and Proper Person) Criteria

Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (Simplified Due Diligence) Guide 2023

Suspicious Activity Report Form
Border Declaration Form
Nauru Virtual Asset Service Provider Policy
Cash Border Regulation Framework Guide

Registration and Licensing of Businesses, Partnerships, Corporations, Associations, Trusts, Private Security Information Sheet

Beneficial Ownership Guide

Non-Government or Non-Profit Organisation Best Practice Guide

United Nations Security Council Consolidated List

Designated Non-Financial Business and Professions Customer Due Diligence Guideline

Anti-Money Laundering and Targeted Financial Sanctions (High Risk Countries) Guideline 2023

Nauru’s Anti-Money Laundering and Proliferation Financing National Risk Assessment 2023
Strategic Analysis 2021 to 2023

Nauru Targeted Financial Sanctions Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Guide

Extradition Guide
Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Guide
National Risk Assessment MLTF Nauru 2018
Nauru MER 2012

Nauru Maritime Administration – click here for the website

HISTORICAL ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LEGISLATION

Note: These materials are not current and do not reflect the current state of the law. They are for historical purposes only.

Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001
Anti-Money Laundering Act 2004
Anti-Money Laundering Act 2008

OUR TEAM

Rajas Swamy

Supervisor

Bernard Grundler

Assistant Supervisor

Roqous Aingimea

Analyst

OUR LOCATION

Financial Intelligence Unit
Department of Justice and Border Control
Ground Floor
Government Building
Yaren District
Republic of Nauru
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