# OpenSanctions MCP for AI Agents AI Agent Connect > OpenSanctions MCP. Screen persons and companies against global sanctions lists and PEP databases for KYC and AML compliance. It lets your AI agent check names, vessels, and organizations against real-time data from OFAC, EU, and UN lists without needing an API key for non-commercial use. ## Overview - **Category:** security-compliance - **Price:** Free - **Endpoint:** https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_ZsvZF1zehQBkE9Qy8D6NL3kDsgqsOFIaEJphQI9f/ai-agent-connect - **Tags:** sanctions-screening, pep-screening, aml, kyc, risk-management, compliance ## Description Think about the manual grind of KYC and AML. You're usually jumping between tabs, copy-pasting names into different government websites, and trying to cross-reference multiple sanction lists to see if a client or partner is a red flag. It's tedious, prone to human error, and honestly, it's a headache for anyone in compliance. This Connector changes that by giving your AI agent a direct line to the world's largest open sanctions and PEP screening database. Instead of hunting for data, you just ask your agent to check a name. It handles the heavy lifting of fuzzy matching across global lists like OFAC, the EU, and the UN. You get the details you actually need, like aliases, dates of birth, and specific sanction types, all in one place. It's a big part of why the Vinkius catalog is so useful for high-stakes work; it turns a multi-step research process into a simple conversation. You can screen companies, find sanctioned vessels by IMO number, or browse through different datasets to see what's currently on the radar. You no longer have to worry about missing a name because of a slight spelling difference or a missing middle initial. The system does the heavy lifting, providing you with a clear, actionable summary of risks so you can focus on making actual decisions rather than just moving data from one screen to another. ## Tools ### get_datasets Lists all available sanctions datasets, including publisher info and total entity counts. ### match_pep Screens a name against Politically Exposed Persons lists and returns match scores and political positions. ### get_entity Pulls complete profiles for a specific entity, including aliases, dates of birth, and source datasets. ### match_sanctions Performs fuzzy matching against global sanctions lists to find potential hits based on a sensitivity threshold. ### search_company Finds companies in the database by name, jurisdiction, or registration number. ### search_entities Performs a free-text search to find persons, companies, or vessels across multiple datasets. ### search_person Searches specifically for individuals in the sanctions database to find names and nationalities. ### search_vessel Identifies sanctioned ships by name or IMO number, including flag and owner details. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Check if 'Global Logistics Corp' is on any sanctions lists. ``` **Response:** ``` I've checked the global sanctions database for **Global Logistics Corp**. | Status | Match Score | Source Lists | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Potential Match** | 0.92 | OFAC, EU Consolidated List | **Details:** - **Aliases:** Global Logistics Ltd, GLC Corp - **Jurisdiction:** United Kingdom - **Sanction Type:** Trade restrictions ``` **Prompt:** ``` Is 'Elena Rodriguez' a Politically Exposed Person? ``` **Response:** ``` I searched the PEP databases for **Elena Rodriguez**. **Results:** - **Match:** Yes (High Confidence) - **Political Position:** Minister of Finance - **Country:** Spain - **Source:** Global PEP Database This individual is flagged as a Politically Exposed Person due to their current government role. ``` **Prompt:** ``` Find any sanctioned vessels owned by 'Oceanic Holdings'. ``` **Response:** ``` I found the following sanctioned vessels associated with **Oceanic Holdings**: * **Vessel Name:** Sea Spirit * **IMO Number:** 9876543 * **Flag:** Panama * **Status:** Sanctioned (OFAC) * **Vessel Name:** Blue Wave * **IMO Number:** 1234567 * **Flag:** Marshall Islands * **Status:** Sanctioned (EU) ``` ## Capabilities ### Screen names against global sanctions lists Check individuals or entities against multiple international watchlists simultaneously. ### Identify Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) Flag high-risk individuals based on their political positions and roles. ### Pull full entity profiles Get comprehensive data including aliases, nationalities, and specific sanction details. ### Search sanctioned vessels Locate ships in the sanctions database using names or IMO numbers. ### Browse global sanctions datasets View all available datasets and publisher information in one view. ### Filter by entity type Narrow your search results specifically to persons, companies, or vessels. ## Use Cases ### Client Onboarding A compliance officer asks the agent to screen a new corporate partner against OFAC lists to ensure they aren't on a watch list. ### Transaction Monitoring An AML analyst asks the agent to check if a specific individual involved in a wire transfer is a Politically Exposed Person. ### Maritime Risk Assessment A logistics researcher uses the agent to find all sanctioned vessels tied to a specific owner to avoid legal issues. ### Data Auditing A risk manager asks the agent to list all available sanctions datasets to ensure the team is using the latest data. ## Benefits - Stop manual searching by using match_sanctions to check names against multiple global lists at once. - Get deeper context on hits with get_entity to see aliases and specific sanction details. - Identify high-risk individuals faster with match_pep to see political positions and match scores. - Track maritime risk by using search_vessel to find ships by IMO number or name. - Stay updated on global risks by browsing all available sources with get_datasets. - Reduce false positives by adjusting the sensitivity threshold in the match_sanctions tool. ## How It Works The bottom line is you get instant access to global risk data without the manual research. 1. Subscribe to the OpenSanctions MCP via the Vinkius dashboard. 2. Connect your preferred AI client to the Vinkius catalog. 3. Ask your agent to screen a name or search for a specific company. ## Frequently Asked Questions **What does the OpenSanctions MCP do for my business?** It gives your AI agent the ability to automatically screen people and companies against global sanctions and PEP lists. This helps you identify high-risk clients or partners during your KYC and AML processes. **Can I use OpenSanctions MCP for KYC and AML checks?** Yes, it is specifically designed for that. It automates the initial screening of names against multiple watchlists, saving you from manually checking every individual and entity. **Does OpenSanctions MCP include OFAC and UN sanctions?** Yes, it connects to a wide range of global datasets, including the US OFAC, the EU Consolidated List, and the UN Security Council lists. **How does OpenSanctions MCP handle fuzzy matching for names?** It uses fuzzy matching to find potential hits even if the name isn't an exact match. This helps catch variations in spelling, nicknames, or missing middle names that might otherwise be missed. **Can I screen ships using the OpenSanctions MCP?** Yes, you can search for sanctioned vessels by their name or IMO number. This is useful for maritime logistics and identifying high-risk shipping entities. **Is there a cost to using OpenSanctions MCP for non-commercial use?** For non-commercial use, you can access the screening data without needing an API key, making it a highly accessible way to perform risk checks. **Do I need an API key?** No! OpenSanctions is completely free for non-commercial use. No authentication required. **What sanctions lists are included?** OpenSanctions aggregates data from OFAC (US), EU Consolidated List, UN Security Council, UK HMT, and many other global sanctions regimes. **How accurate is the name matching?** The API uses fuzzy matching with configurable thresholds (0.0-1.0). Default threshold of 0.85 balances accuracy and recall for most use cases. **Can I screen companies, not just individuals?** Yes! Use search_company to find sanctioned companies, or use the general search with schema='Company' filter.