COAF
Brazil's financial intelligence unit. It receives, analyses, and disseminates reports on suspicious transactions to law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities.
Americas · Country coverage
AML/CTF Compliance in Brazil
Brazil regulates AML/CTF through COAF under Law No. 9,613/1998. See the obligations and how MemberCheck supports them.
Last updated
Screening coverage for Brazil
- Sanctions & PEP screening
- Adverse media checks
- Customer identity verification
- Jurisdiction risk checks
- Ongoing monitoring
Key facts
AML supervisor / FIUConselho de Controle de Atividades Financeiras (COAF)
FATF statusFATF member
Primary legislationLaw No. 9,613/1998 (as amended by Law No. 12,683/2012)
Overview
AML/CTF compliance in Brazil.
Brazil regulates money laundering and terrorist financing through Law No. 9,613/1998, supported by COAF, which receives and analyses reports on suspicious transactions from financial institutions and other obligated sectors.
Regulated entities must apply customer due diligence, identify beneficial owners, monitor relationships, and report suspicious activity to COAF, alongside rules from sectoral regulators such as the Central Bank, CVM, and SUSEP. Supervisors expect a designated compliance officer, sound internal controls, and staff training.
MemberCheck helps teams meet these obligations by screening customers and entities against global sanctions, PEP, and adverse-media data, verifying identities, and monitoring risk continuously, with a clear audit trail behind every decision.
Regulation
All solutions →Key laws and regulators.
Law No. 9,613/1998
Brazil's principal AML statute, criminalising money laundering and setting due diligence, recordkeeping, and reporting duties for financial institutions and other obligated sectors.
Sectoral regulators
The Central Bank of Brazil, CVM (securities), and SUSEP (insurance) each issue AML rules for their sectors alongside COAF's framework.
FATF 40 Recommendations
As a FATF member, Brazil aligns its regime with the international standards that shape expectations for financial institutions and designated businesses.
Obligations
What regulated businesses must do.
- Apply customer due diligence and identity verification
- Identify beneficial owners of corporate customers
- Report suspicious transactions to COAF
- Conduct ongoing monitoring of customer relationships
- Maintain internal controls and a compliance officer
- Maintain records and provide staff training
1,000+
Global watchlists screened
<1s
Average screening response
24h
Watchlist refresh cycle
195
Countries covered
FAQ
Common questions.
Who supervises AML/CTF in Brazil?
COAF (Conselho de Controle de Atividades Financeiras) is Brazil's financial intelligence unit, receiving and analysing suspicious transaction reports alongside sectoral regulators such as the Central Bank, CVM, and SUSEP.
What is the main AML law in Brazil?
Law No. 9,613/1998, as amended by Law No. 12,683/2012, criminalises money laundering and sets the due diligence, recordkeeping, and reporting obligations for regulated entities.
Is Brazil a member of FATF?
Yes. Brazil is a member of the Financial Action Task Force and aligns its AML/CTF regime with the FATF 40 Recommendations.
How does MemberCheck support AML compliance in Brazil?
MemberCheck screens customers and entities against global sanctions, PEP, and adverse-media data, verifies identities, and monitors risk continuously, with an audit trail behind every decision.
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