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Free CAMS practice questions 2026
5 real-format CAMS questions from our bank of 195, each with the correct answer, an explanation and a source. Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, issued by ACAMS.
Why is data quality critical for AML systems?
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Correct answer: D. Incomplete or wrong customer and transaction data causes missed alerts, false positives and unreliable risk ratings
Monitoring and screening can only be as good as the data they receive. Supervisors expect data lineage, validation and reconciliation so that all relevant transactions and customers reach the systems.
Source: NYDFS Part 504 (transaction monitoring and filtering programme requirements)
What does FATF Recommendation 21 prohibit?
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Correct answer: A. Disclosing to the customer or anyone else that a suspicious transaction report is being or has been filed
Recommendation 21 provides legal protection for staff who report suspicions in good faith and prohibits tipping-off, meaning disclosure that an STR or related information is being filed with the FIU. Anonymous accounts fall under R.10 and shell banks under R.13.
Source: FATF Recommendation 21
A securities customer's account receives shares of a thinly traded company, sells them within days of a promotional email campaign, then wires the proceeds out. Which scheme does this fit?
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Correct answer: C. Pump and dump
In a pump and dump, promoters inflate the price of a low-volume stock through hype, then sell their holdings at the inflated price. Rapid deposit, sale and withdrawal of microcap shares around a promotion campaign is a common red flag.
Source: FINRA Regulatory Notice 21-03; SEC investor alerts on microcap fraud
What is 'cuckoo smurfing'?
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Correct answer: C. Criminal cash is deposited into the account of an unsuspecting person who is expecting a legitimate transfer from abroad, while the overseas payment is diverted to the criminal
In cuckoo smurfing, a corrupt remitter receives a customer's money for an international transfer. Instead of sending it, the remitter arranges for criminal cash in the destination country to be deposited into the beneficiary's account. The beneficiary receives the expected amount, unaware the funds are criminal proceeds.
Source: AUSTRAC, Money laundering typologies; FATF reports on professional money laundering (2018)
Which list correctly states the pillars of a US BSA/AML compliance programme for banks?
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Correct answer: A. Internal controls, independent testing, a designated BSA officer, training, and customer due diligence
The traditional four pillars are a system of internal controls, independent testing, a designated BSA compliance officer, and training. FinCEN's 2016 CDD Rule added risk-based customer due diligence, including beneficial ownership, often called the fifth pillar.
Source: 31 CFR 1020.210; FFIEC BSA/AML Examination Manual
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These questions are written independently from public standards and are not recalled exam questions. Facts are checked against ACAMS; how we check facts. Also read the CAMS certification guide.