Date: 06 November 2025
This Advisory Note is produced by the Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) to inform the regulated community of a developing issue presenting significant sanctions risk. It provides a summary of relevant sanctions laws but does not cover all possible sanctions risks. Users should consider all applicable sanctions measures and seek independent legal advice. This document should not be used as a substitute for legal advice. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with Australian sanctions laws.
The ASO notes there have been instances where Australians have provided individuals located overseas access to their remittance accounts. The ASO would like to remind the public there are significant risks, including sanctions risks, in providing others access to your remittance account.
Sanctions risk
You may be held liable if others use your remittance account for suspicious or illegal activities, such as money laundering, fraud, or contravening sanctions. This means that if someone gains access to your account and engages in criminal behaviour, you could face legal consequences. These consequences might include fines, criminal charges, or having your assets frozen.
Your account could be used for transactions involving sanctioned countries (e.g., the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Iran, Russia) or to support activities like transferring and disguising funds tied to proliferation financing or illegal procurement.
Your remittance provider may be required by law to report your account to AUSTRAC or law enforcement agencies due to suspected illegal activity.
Potential exploitation by DPRK
The ASO has identified instances in which Australians have disclosed their login credentials to overseas parties as part of purported business agreements. Subsequently, the access credentials have been altered, and legitimate account holders have been denied access to their own accounts. These remittance accounts have then been used to transfer and layer funds connected to DPRK, in contravention of sanctions.
Iranian Illicit financing
The ASO has identified instances where remittance services have been utilised by third parties to facilitate transactions suspected of comprising illicit financing to Iran – including to sanctioned Iranian entities. It is unknown if access was permitted by the authentic account owner, or if access was gained through deception or fraud.
Advice
Only use your remittance account for your own legitimate transactions. Never let someone else 'borrow' it, even temporarily. Never allow others to use your remittance account, even if they are family or close friends. If someone wants to send or receive money, they should create and/or use their own account.
If you identify transactions linked to your account that you have not authorised, you should notify the remittance company immediately and seek further information and advice.
If you have been locked out of your remittance account by another party, you should contact the remittance company immediately and seek to have your account closed or suspended.
Further information and resources
While this advisory note provides a framework for understanding key sanctions risks and compliance requirements, it is essential to remember that it does not cover every possible scenario. Sanctions compliance is an ongoing obligation rather than a one-time assessment. Sanctions measures and associated risks are constantly evolving, requiring regulated entities to continuously monitor and reassess their compliance strategies. Australian regulated entities are encouraged to seek independent legal advice tailored to their specific situations and ensure thorough due diligence in all activities.
We recommend users also refer to the following resources to assist in their evaluation of sanctions risks:
Further information is available on the Department's website, or by making an enquiry to sanctions@dfat.gov.au.