Region

Jurisdiction

Regulator

2023-10-31

FINTRAC imposes an administrative monetary penalty on Austin Jewellers

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) imposed a $66,000 administrative monetary penalty on Austin Jewellers for violating the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. The Coquitlam-based precious metals and stones dealer was cited for failing to develop written compliance policies and procedures, as well as failing to assess and document money laundering and terrorist financing risks. FINTRAC issued this non-punitive penalty to encourage behavioral change and reinforce compliance obligations across regulated business sectors under Canada’s anti-money laundering regime.

Canada

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre Canada

News release

October 31, 2023—Ottawa— Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC)

FINTRAC announced today that it has imposed an administrative monetary penalty on Austin Jewellers (General partnership: Frank Suppanz and Lisa Suppanz, partners). This dealer in precious metals and precious stones in Coquitlam, British Columbia, was imposed an administrative monetary penalty of $66,000 on June 27, 2023, for non-compliance with Part 1 of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act and its associated Regulations.

Austin Jewellers was found to have committed the following violations:

Failure to develop written compliance policies and procedures; and

Failure to assess and document the money laundering and terrorist activity financing risk.

Quote

“Canada’s Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Regime is in place to protect the safety of Canadians and the security of Canada’s economy. FINTRAC is committed to working with businesses to help them understand and comply with their obligations under the Act. We will also be firm in ensuring that businesses continue to do their part and we will take appropriate actions when they are needed.”

Quick facts

As Canada's financial intelligence unit and anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing supervisor, FINTRAC ensures that businesses subject to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act comply with their obligations under the Act and its Regulations. The Centre also analyzes information and discloses financial intelligence to police, law enforcement and national security agencies to assist their investigations of money laundering, terrorist activity financing and threats to the security of Canada.

Casinos, financial entities, money services businesses, real estate brokers and sales representatives and several other business sectors are required under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act to keep certain records, identify clients, maintain a compliance regime and report certain financial transactions to FINTRAC.

Under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, administrative monetary penalties are meant to be non-punitive and are issued to encourage change in the non-compliant behaviour of businesses.

In 2022–23, FINTRAC issued 6 Notices of Violation of non-compliance to businesses for a total of $1,113,569.

FINTRAC has imposed more than 125 penalties across most business sectors since it received the legislative authority to do so in 2008.