The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) was first established in 2004 under the Money Laundering Prevention Act of 2000, which was since repealed and replaced by the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act No. 13 of 2009.

The core functions of the FIU are outlined under section 9(1) of the AML/CFT Act.  These include requesting, receiving, analyzing, and disseminating information on suspicious transaction reports and other information relating to money laundering, terrorist financing, or the proceeds of crime.

The FIU operates as an administrative type of FIU and independently carries out its functions as outlined under the AML/CFT Act.  The unit’s functions are aimed at supporting the work of law enforcement agencies and other competent authorities in Guyana’s fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, and proceeds of crime.