Hong Kong's Security Bureau said Thursday remittance agents and
money changers must verify customers' identities and record
transactions of 8,000 HK dollars (US$ 1,026) or more since
Friday.
They must also verify the identity of anyone who receives a
remittance of 8,000 HK dollars or more, the bureau added.
The requirements aim to meet the new international standard
related to combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
Customers must produce their Hong Kong identity cards - or
certificate of identity, document of identity or travel document
-for verification, and provide their addresses and telephone
numbers.
Agents and money changers must also record and retain the
particulars of the sender and the instructor of any transaction if
the two are not the same person.
Commissioner for Narcotics Sally Wong urged them to include the
sender's information in the transactions, to facilitate remittance
to countries which demand such information.
She said those who came across suspicious transactions should
report to the joint financial intelligence unit, a team set up
jointly by Police and Customs.
(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2007)