Definition
A Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) is a formal report submitted to authorities regarding suspicious transactions or activities in accordance with legal requirements.
Context
SARs are a core component of anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks and are closely linked to regulatory reporting obligations, know your customer (KYC), and customer due diligence (CDD). They are triggered by unusual or unexplained transaction patterns.
Meaning
They are a key mechanism for detecting and preventing money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.
Example
Filing a report on unusual transaction patterns identified during monitoring.
Suggested citation
wirtschaftsforensik.ch Editorial Team: "Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)", in: Glossary, wirtschaftsforensik.ch, https://wirtschaftsforensik.ch/glossar/suspicious-activity-report-sar/, accessed April 18, 2026.