AML (Anti-Money Laundering) Module Block Configuration

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Module Overview

The AML module in IDWise’s Flow Builder allows you to screen users against global watchlists (sanctions, PEP, adverse media, etc.) as part of a verification flow. This module can perform an initial AML check during onboarding and optionally ongoing monitoring of the user after onboarding. Enabling the AML step may incur additional charges, and some settings are controlled by IDWise support due to their complexity or licensing requirements. This guide explains how to configure the AML module, clearly highlighting which options you can set yourself and which require intervention from IDWise support.

Adding and Enabling the AML Module

To include AML screening in your user verification journey:

Add the AML (Anti-Money Laundering) block to your flow in the Flow Builder interface.
After adding, you will see an "Enable AML" toggle on the configuration panel.

Core Watchlists

Once AML is enabled, the module screens the user's identity information against various watchlists:

Sanctions Lists
Politically Exposed Persons (PEP)
Adverse Media, Warnings, and Fitness & Probity

Note: You can individually enable or disable each of the above watchlist types using toggles. For advanced customization, please contact IDWise support.

Similarity Threshold (Name Matching Strictness)

The Similarity Threshold sets the required match confidence level for potential watchlist hits to be flagged as positive matches. Typically, this is a percentage, with a common default of 80%.

IDWise utilizes fuzzy matching algorithms for name matching. This threshold controls permissible variations in spelling or naming when comparing user names to watchlist entries. For example:

An 80% threshold tolerates minor spelling variations.
A 100% threshold requires exact matches, including name order.

For detailed information, refer to the AML Matching documentation.

Ongoing Monitoring Options

Following the initial onboarding check, ongoing monitoring continuously screens user names against watchlists over time and alerts you about any new matches (e.g., if a user is later added to a sanctions list).

Ongoing Monitoring Type: Choose from two options:

Auto Enroll All Users: Automatically subscribes every user who passes the initial AML check for continuous monitoring. Ideal to ensure comprehensive coverage without manual oversight.
Manual Select (Enroll Only Users I Select): Only monitors users manually selected by you. This is preferable if you want to focus monitoring efforts on higher-risk profiles to manage costs and reduce unnecessary notifications.
- Users can be manually enrolled via the IDWise portal interface or by using the Set Journey's AML Ongoing Monitoring API.
- Ensure the AML Monitor Update webhook is properly configured to receive notifications.