1. Compare identifiers
- Compare date or year of birth, nationality, place of birth and ID numbers with the listed profile.
- For companies, compare registration number, country and address.
- One strong mismatch (for example a clearly different date of birth) can be enough to clear an alert — record which one.
2. Check name variations carefully
- Arabic names may be transliterated in several ways (Mohammed, Muhammad, Mohamed).
- Prefixes and family parts such as Al, El, bin and bint can be added or dropped.
- Do not clear an alert on spelling alone; rely on other identifiers.
3. Decide and document
- Write down why the alert was cleared or escalated, which data you compared and the source you used.
- Record the reviewer's name and the date.
- Where you cannot decide, escalate rather than guess.
4. Escalate confirmed or likely matches
- Pass the case to the compliance officer or MLRO straight away.
- For a confirmed sanctions match, apply freezing measures without delay and notify the authorities as required by UAE targeted financial sanctions rules.
- Assess whether a suspicious transaction or activity report should be filed through goAML.
5. Learn from your alerts
- Review false-positive rates regularly and tune matching settings with care.
- Use alert outcomes in staff training. Tools such as Bridger Insight keep alert notes with the screening record.
General guidance
This checklist summarises general UAE expectations. It is not legal advice; confirm the exact requirements that apply to your business with your supervisor.
Frequently asked questions
Can an alert be cleared because the name is spelled differently?
No. Spelling differences are common with transliterated names. Clear an alert on other identifiers such as date of birth or nationality, and record them.
What happens after a confirmed sanctions match?
Apply freezing measures without delay, notify the authorities as UAE rules require, and assess reporting through goAML.
This guide is general information about compliance expectations in the UAE, written by our team. It is not legal advice and does not replace the guidance of your supervisory body. Where an obligation depends on your licence, activity or free zone, confirm it with your supervisor or a qualified adviser.