Manual lookup & batch screening

The Manual AML Lookup feature within SEON enables businesses to perform AML checks without the need for an automated API integration. This is ideal for situations where you want to screen specific customers, transactions, or entities manually, ensuring that they are not flagged on global watchlists, PEP (Politically Exposed Persons) databases or adverse media sources.

Key benefits

• Efficient risk screening: Instantly check individuals or entities against global sanction lists, PEP databases and other critical sources.
• Regulatory compliance: Stay compliant with global AML regulations by manually reviewing high-risk or suspicious profiles.
• Real-time results: Receive immediate customer screening results that include detailed information on any matches, providing insights into potential risks.

• Navigate to the AML lookup section
  • Once logged in, find the Manual Lookup module in SEON.
  • Click on AML tab to open the manual search interface.
• Enter search details
  • In the AML Lookup interface, select if you are looking to screen an individual or business and enter the necessary details of the individual or entity you wish to screen.
  • Required fields may include:
    • Full Name
    • Date of Birth (for individuals)
    • Country
    • Entity Information (for companies, e.g., registration number, legal name)
  • Ensure the data entered is accurate and you enter as much information as possible to ensure you get the most reliable results.
• Match Type Toggle: Fuzzy vs. Exact Match
  • You can toggle between fuzzy matching and exact matching:
    • Exact Match: The system will look for an exact match against the entered details in the databases.
    • Fuzzy Match: The system will search for close or partial matches, accommodating slight variations in spelling, name formatting, or other discrepancies in the data. This is useful for detecting potential matches where the name might not be entered exactly as listed in the databases.
  • Select the appropriate match type based on the level of confidence you need.
• Initiate the Lookup
  • After filling in the required details, click the Run AML Lookup button to initiate the process.
  • SEON will cross-check the entered details against various global and regional databases.

• Double-check data inputs: Always ensure that the information entered for the lookup is correct. Mistakes can lead to incorrect results.
• Review matches thoroughly: Examine the details of any matches carefully, including reasoning and match strength. A high-risk match (e.g., a direct sanction match) warrants immediate action.
• Maintain compliance records: Keep detailed records of your AML lookup process and any decisions made for auditing and reporting purposes. For this purpose, use our case management system (LINK).
• Regularly perform manual lookups: Even if you're using automated AML tools, it's advisable to conduct regular manual checks on high-risk individuals or entities for added security.

• Manual process: This method requires human input and review, which can be time-consuming for large volumes of checks.
• No automated alerts: Unlike automated systems, manual lookups do not provide automatic notifications or real-time alerts about new updates on watchlists or databases.

• Small-scale operations: If your business handles a relatively small volume of AML checks, the manual lookup option provides a simple, effective solution.
• High-risk or complex cases: Use manual AML lookups for specific cases that require careful analysis or when the automated systems flag something for further review.
• Ad-hoc investigations: When you need to quickly verify the status of a customer or entity outside of automated processes.

1. Escalate for further review: If you find a high-risk match, escalate the case for more thorough investigation by your compliance or legal team.
2. Integrate with other AML tools: For more complex needs, consider integrating SEON’s Fraud API with AML settings for automated, scalable AML checks.
3. Monitor for changes: If the result is clear but there is ongoing risk, regularly recheck the individual or entity as part of your ongoing monitoring program

The Batch test feature is an efficient solution designed for businesses that need to conduct large-scale AML checks on multiple individuals or entities without the need for coding or technical integration. This option allows for bulk processing, making it ideal for high-volume operations that require frequent AML screening.

Key benefits

• Scalable processing: Easily handle large volumes of AML checks, saving time and resources.
• No coding required: Simplify the process by uploading bulk data directly through SEON Admin without any need for development work.
• Quick results: Get fast feedback on multiple individuals or entities simultaneously, allowing for quicker decision-making.
• Efficient compliance: Ensure your organization remains compliant with AML regulations in a streamlined manner.

• Prepare the data file
  • The first step is to prepare a CSV file containing the details of the individuals or entities you wish to screen. Each row should include the necessary information, such as:
    • Full Name
    • Date of Birth (for individuals)
    • Country
    • Entity Information (for companies, such as registration number or legal name)
  • Make sure the file is properly formatted according to SEON’s requirements for batch processing (check SEON's documentation for detailed guidelines on file structure).
  • Download sample files: CSV, XLSX
• Log in to SEON Admin
  • Open your browser and log into the SEON Admin panel using your credentials.
• Navigate to the batch upload section
  • In the dashboard, locate Manual Lookup and click Batch test tab.
• Upload the CSV file
  • In the Batch test interface, click Upload your file.
  • Upload your prepared CSV file containing the individuals or entities you want to screen.
  • Ensure the file is correctly formatted and contains all the necessary details for a successful upload.

Tip: If you use batch upload by clicking on the radio button: 'Full transaction analysis,' the batch tester will function the same as the FRAUD API with AML integration. The events and transactions uploaded into the system will be able to trigger rules and alerts. This allows for the evaluation of results and potential investigations to be handled in our case management system.

• Data quality: Ensure that the data you upload is accurate and formatted correctly to prevent errors in the lookup process.
• Regular uploads: For ongoing compliance, schedule regular batch uploads, especially for new customers, transactions, or business partners.
• Data segmentation: If necessary, break your batch into smaller files for easier management and quicker processing.

• Manual review required: Although the Batch Upload feature speeds up the screening process, high-risk cases will still need to be reviewed manually by your compliance team.
• Limited customization: The batch upload method does not offer advanced customization. For that, consider integrating the Fraud API with AML settings.

After the lookup is complete, you will see the results on the screen.
Based on the lookup results, you can make decisions about the individual or entity:

• No hit: No matches are found. You may proceed with the transaction or onboarding process. Set the status to "Reviewed."
• Reopened: If new information is found later, the case can be reopened and reviewed again.
• Reviewed: If the case has been examined and no further action is needed, set the status to "Reviewed."
• Confirmed Hit: If critical matches are found, such as a direct match with a PEP or a sanctions list, the status should be set to "Confirmed Hit."
• False Match: If a match turns out to be a false positive, mark it as a "False Match.

Later on, you can filter cases by these statuses. If you need a more robust investigation handling, you can use SEON’s Case Management system to configure custom workflows, set up escalation steps and add investigation notes and decision nodes. Additionally, the system provides an audit trail to handle AML results within the case management system.