住建部央行联合出台新规：杜绝房地产成为“洗钱”温床

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of the "Management Measures for Anti-Money Laundering Work of Real Estate Practitioners" marks a significant step in regulating the real estate sector against money laundering activities, aligning with the revised Anti-Money Laundering Law effective from January 1, 2025 [2][8]. Group 1: Regulatory Framework - The new measures consist of 25 articles and will take effect on September 1, 2025, establishing a regulatory framework for anti-money laundering in the real estate sector [2][4]. - The measures require real estate developers and brokerage firms to fulfill anti-money laundering obligations and accept supervision and self-regulation [2][4]. Group 2: Money Laundering Risks in Real Estate - The real estate sector has been identified as a potential avenue for money laundering due to its large transaction amounts and complex processes, making it attractive for illicit activities [3][4]. - Common money laundering methods in real estate include cash transactions with discounts and the use of "yin-yang contracts" to disguise the true value of properties [3][4]. Group 3: Key Anti-Money Laundering Obligations - The measures outline three core obligations for real estate institutions: customer identity verification, suspicious transaction reporting, and record-keeping [5][6]. - Real estate institutions must refuse transactions with unidentified clients and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities [5][6]. Group 4: Internal Controls and Industry Self-Regulation - Institutions are required to establish internal controls for anti-money laundering, appoint responsible personnel, and conduct regular risk assessments [6][7]. - The measures also define the role of industry self-regulatory organizations in guiding compliance and coordinating suspicious transaction reports [6][7]. Group 5: Risk-Based Approach - The measures adopt a risk-based approach, allowing for differentiated regulatory measures based on the level of money laundering risk associated with different real estate practitioners [7]. Group 6: Alignment with International Standards - The introduction of these measures is part of a broader effort to align with international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and to prepare for the upcoming fifth round of mutual evaluations [8][9].