A politically exposed person is a person or a member of their immediately family that holds a prominent public position within any country.
This can include:
Heads of state, Heads of Government, Ministers & Deputy or assistant Minister
Members of Parliament or similar bodies
Members of governing bodies or political parties
Members of supreme and constitutional courts and other high level judicial bodies
Members of courts of auditors or boards of central banks
Ambassadors and high ranking officers in the armed forces
Members of the administrative, management or supervisory bodies of state owned enterprises
Directors, depty directors and members of the board, or equivalent of an internation organisation
The definition of a PEP also includes close associates who have;
Joint legal ownership with a politically exposed person of a legal entity or arrangement
Any other close business relationship with a politically exposed person
Sole beneficial owbership of a legal entity or arrangement set up for the benefit of a politically exposed person
A PEP can also be considered as a higher risk for potential involvement in bribary and corruption owing to their position and influence they may hold. Therefore, we are obligated to ascertain if any buyer may be considered a PEP.