This type of behaviour should raise suspicions that your client may be trying to get you to assist them in something illegal or dishonest. At the core of the client identification and verification rule is the professional responsibility not to participate in, or facilitate, money laundering or terrorist financing. You have a duty to make reasonable inquiries in the face of this suspicion before acting or continuing to act.

If you know or ought to know that you would be assisting the client in fraud or other illegal conduct, you have a duty to refuse to act for them in that matter and withdraw from representation. The duty applies whether you become aware of this during the identification and verification process or at any time during your retainer.