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A suspicious activity report (SAR) is a document filed to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to help the police detect suspicious activity through GoAML. Reporting entities under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Financing Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act) are required to submit SARs if they notice or detect activity that has grounds for suspicion.

There is no value threshold for reporting suspicious activity. Any activity that you consider to be suspicious (as per the criteria in s39A of the AML/CFT Act) must be reported to the FIU as a SAR.

These reports are used by the FIU as a key detection tool, and aid in criminal investigations and preventative measures to maintain New Zealand’s financial system integrity.
SARs are confidential and are treated very seriously by the Police, and the AML/CFT Act prescribed penalties for disclosure of information relating to SARs.


The requirements to submit an SAR override any obligations you have under the Privacy Act. Where you have submitted a SAR in good faith and in accordance with your obligations under the AML/CFT Act, no civil, criminal or disciplinary proceedings may be taken against you.

 

Not registered for GoAML yet?
It is easy to register for GoAML. Please refer to the New Zealand Police Financial Intelligence Unit’s website to register for goAML. They also have guidance around SARs to help you understand your obligations.
Keywords: Suspicious Activity Reports, GoAML