FIAU

The FIAU, or Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, is Malta's anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) authority. It functions as the national central unit responsible for receiving, analyzing, and disseminating financial intelligence. The FIAU's primary objective is to safeguard Malta's financial system from illicit activities by ensuring that it is not exploited for money laundering, terrorist financing, or other financial crimes.

The Unit's mandate includes supervising and regulating various entities, such as credit institutions, financial institutions, gaming companies, and designated non-financial businesses and professions, to ensure their compliance with AML/CFT legislation and regulations. This supervision involves risk assessments, on-site inspections, and off-site analysis of submitted reports. The FIAU also plays a crucial role in international cooperation, working with its counterparts in other countries to exchange information and combat cross-border financial crime.

When suspicious transactions are identified by reporting entities, they are reported to the FIAU. The Unit then analyzes this intelligence to determine if further action is warranted. If a transaction is deemed suspicious and potentially linked to criminal activity, the FIAU can disseminate this information to the relevant law enforcement authorities for investigation and potential prosecution. The FIAU's work is vital in maintaining Malta's reputation as a reputable financial center and in fulfilling its international obligations in the fight against financial crime.