Skip to main content
The PEP Screening check identifies whether an individual is a Politically Exposed Person (PEP) or is associated with PEPs. PEPs are individuals who hold or have held prominent public positions and may present higher risk for corruption or bribery.

​
Overview

The check examines:
  • Current and former government officials
  • Senior political party members
  • High-ranking military officers
  • Senior executives of state-owned enterprises
  • Important judicial or regulatory figures
  • Close associates and family members of PEPs (RCAs)

​
What is a PEP?

According to FATF recommendations, a Politically Exposed Person is an individual who is or has been entrusted with a prominent public function. This includes:
  • Domestic PEPs: Prominent public functions in your own country
  • Foreign PEPs: Prominent public functions in a foreign country
  • International Organization PEPs: Senior positions in international organizations
  • Relatives and Close Associates (RCAs): Family members or known close associates of PEPs

​
Running the Check

​
API Endpoint

POST https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/startKYCAgentJob

​
Request Parameters

​
agent_key
string
required
Use "public-kyc" for individual screening checks.
​
check_id
string
required
Use "kyc.pep_screening_check_v2" for PEP screening.
​
payload
object
required
The individual information for screening.

​
Example Request

curl -X POST 'https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/startKYCAgentJob' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-d '{
  "agent_key": "public-kyc",
  "check_id": "kyc.pep_screening_check_v2",
  "payload": {
    "id": "pep-check-001",
    "self_attested_data": {
      "first_name": "John",
      "last_name": "Smith",
      "middle_name": "Robert",
      "date_of_birth": "1975-06-15",
      "country_of_nationality": "US",
      "country_of_residence": "US",
      "address": {
        "city": "Washington",
        "state": "DC",
        "country_code": "US"
      }
    }
  }
}'

​
Initial Response

{
  "id": "job-abc123",
  "status": "PENDING",
  "created_at": "2024-02-15T10:30:00Z",
  "updated_at": "2024-02-15T10:30:00Z",
  "agent_id": "public-bdd",
  "input_payload": {
    // Original request payload
  }
}

​
Retrieving Check Results

Once the job is complete, retrieve the results using the job ID with the getJobByID endpoint. Make sure to include the include_check_results=true parameter to get the full check results. 
GET https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/getJobByID?job_id=job-abc123&include_check_results=true

​
Check Process

The PEP screening check follows these steps:
  1. Database Search
    • Searches PEP databases from multiple vendors
    • Queries government watchlists
    • Checks historical PEP records
    • Includes RCA (Relatives and Close Associates) matching
  2. Match Analysis
    • Evaluates name similarity
    • Compares date of birth (if available)
    • Analyzes location data
    • Reviews position and role information
  3. Classification
    • Identifies PEP type (domestic, foreign, international org)
    • Determines current vs. former PEP status
    • Identifies RCA relationships
    • Assesses PEP tier (senior, mid-level, etc.)
  4. Risk Assessment
    • Evaluates match confidence (strong, partial, weak)
    • Determines required action (deny, review, approve)
    • Considers jurisdiction risk
    • Factors in position sensitivity

​
Check Results

​
Response Structure

{
  type: "PEPScreeningCheckResult";
  passed: boolean;
  matches: Array<PEPMatch>;
  total_matches: number;
  screening_date: string;
}

type PEPMatch = {
  name: string;
  match_rating: "strong_match" | "partial_match" | "weak_match" | "false_positive";
  match_score: number;
  pep_type: "domestic_pep" | "foreign_pep" | "international_org_pep" | "rca";
  pep_status: "current" | "former";
  position: string;
  date_of_birth?: string;
  country: string;
  organization?: string;
  start_date?: string;
  end_date?: string;
  pep_tier?: string;
  relationship_type?: string;
  related_pep?: string;
  source: string;
  last_updated?: string;
}

​
Example Results

{
  "type": "PEPScreeningCheckResult",
  "passed": true,
  "matches": [],
  "total_matches": 0,
  "screening_date": "2024-02-15T10:30:00Z"
}

​
PEP Categories

​
Tier 1 - Senior PEPs (Highest Risk)

  • Heads of state or government
  • Senior politicians and government officials
  • Senior judicial or military officials
  • Senior executives of state-owned enterprises
  • Important political party officials

​
Tier 2 - Mid-Level PEPs (Medium Risk)

  • Mid-ranking government officials
  • State or provincial politicians
  • Mid-level judicial or military officials
  • Local government executives

​
Tier 3 - Lower-Level PEPs (Lower Risk)

  • Local officials
  • Lower judicial positions
  • Military officers below senior ranks

​
RCAs - Relatives and Close Associates

  • Immediate family members (spouse, children, parents)
  • Known close associates
  • Business partners of PEPs

​
Risk Factors

The check may flag concerns if:
  • Current senior PEP (Tier 1) in high-risk jurisdiction
  • Current foreign PEP requiring enhanced due diligence
  • Close associate or family member of senior PEP
  • Former PEP from high-corruption country (less than 5 years)
  • Multiple PEP matches suggesting possible identity confusion
  • PEP from sanctioned country or regime

​
Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)

PEP matches typically require:
  1. Source of Wealth Verification: Document legitimate income sources
  2. Source of Funds: Verify transaction fund origins
  3. Purpose of Relationship: Understand business relationship purpose
  4. Ongoing Monitoring: Enhanced transaction monitoring
  5. Senior Management Approval: Elevated approval for onboarding

​
Best Practices

  1. Risk-Based Approach: Not all PEPs are high-risk (consider jurisdiction, position, tenure)
  2. Former PEPs: Apply EDD for 3-5 years after leaving office
  3. RCA Verification: Investigate RCA relationships carefully
  4. Update Regularly: PEP status can change; rescreen periodically
  5. Document Decisions: Keep clear records of PEP screening and risk assessments
  6. Combined Screening: Use with sanctions and adverse media checks

​
Configuration Options

  • vendor: Choose PEP database provider (ComplyAdvantage, Dow Jones, World-Check)
  • profile_limit: Maximum PEP profiles to return
  • match_thresholds: Customize match rating thresholds
  • deny_match_ratings: Auto-deny on strong matches
  • review_match_ratings: Flag for manual review
  • extract_pep_metadata: Extract detailed PEP information