What is a PEP, and how do I check for one?

A politically exposed person (PEP) holds, or has held, a prominent public function — a minister, senior official, judge, senior military officer, or a director of a state-owned company. The definition extends to immediate family members and known close associates.

Being a PEP is not an accusation; it signals a higher corruption and bribery risk, which the law answers with enhanced due diligence: senior-management approval to enter the relationship, establishing the source of wealth and funds, and closer ongoing monitoring.

Checking means screening the client against PEP data and recording the result — including a clean result. A platform that re-screens automatically and keeps the dated evidence turns a recurring manual chore into a by-product of normal work.