FATF 40 Recommendations R.31: R.31 Powers of law enforcement and investigative authorities

Competent authorities investigating money laundering, predicate offences and terrorist financing can obtain all necessary documents and information, with compulsory powers to produce records held by institutions, DNFBPs and others, search persons and premises, take witness statements and seize evidence, and can use a wide range of investigative techniques including undercover operations, interception of communications, access to computer systems and controlled delivery; they have timely access to a wide range of information to identify and trace criminal property including basic and beneficial ownership information, tax information, asset registries and citizenship, residency and social benefit registries; countries have mechanisms to identify in a timely manner whether persons hold or control accounts, to identify assets without prior notice to the owner, and investigators can ask for all relevant information held by the FIU.