AML & KYC Disclosure

We follow Nigerian AML/CFT (counter-terrorism financing) standards and work only with licensed payment partners that apply equivalent controls. Fighting financial crime is a condition of using Paya.

When you register, we collect your name, email, phone number and basic profile details. To unlock full wallet features, we verify your identity using your Bank Verification Number (BVN) and may also use your National Identification Number (NIN) or a face check.

Verification data is used only to confirm your identity and protect your funds. It is stored securely and is never shared beyond what the law and our partners require.

Payments on Paya are monitored for unusual patterns — such as very rapid sequences of large transfers — using automated and human review. Monitoring protects you and the people you send money to.

For your safety, unusually large payments may be held for a short risk review before they proceed. If a payment is held, it stays clearly marked in your activity and your money is safe while we check.

These reviews are a protection, not a penalty — most are cleared automatically within minutes.

Where Nigerian law requires it, we report suspicious transactions to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). We may not always be able to tell you when such a report has been made.

We screen against applicable sanctions lists and maintain fraud controls such as transaction velocity limits, PIN lockouts and gift-card validation. Suspicious accounts may be suspended while we investigate.

Funds in your Paya wallet should come from your own legitimate bank accounts or sources. We may ask for more information about the source of unusual funds; providing it is a condition of continued use.

Use Paya only with your own identity and your own funds. Never send money on behalf of strangers who promise you a share — this is a common scam and may make you part of a money-laundering chain. Report suspicious approaches to us immediately.

Never share your PIN, password or one-time codes with anyone, including anyone claiming to be Paya staff.

Questions about KYC, verification or a paused payment: support@paya.ng or in-app support. We respond within 24 hours, Monday to Saturday.