James Lucas
Richmond,TX
Summary
Strategic Financial Crimes & AML Lead with over 11 years of expertise spanning Tier-1 banking and global cryptocurrency exchanges. Expert in dismantling complex fraud rings and money laundering networks through advanced data analytics (SQL, Python) and blockchain forensics (Chainalysis, TRM Labs). Proven track record of identifying over $5M in suspicious transactions and leading high-performance investigative teams. CAMS and CFE certified with a mastery of FinCEN, BSA, and OFAC regulatory standards
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
2012
2012
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fraud Investigator II (Consultant for USAA)
PwC
03.2025 - Current
- Investigated debit card fraud, ACH fraud, identity theft, synthetic identity profiles, and account takeover attempts affecting member accounts.
- Monitored transactional activity, fraud alerts, dispute claims, and chargebacks using Actimize, Verafin, CyberSource, and internal case management systems.
- Conducted fraud risk assessments, documented evidence, escalated high-risk cases, and recommended account freezes, reimbursements, or legal actions as needed.
- Collaborated with internal compliance teams, legal counsel, and law enforcement to support subpoena responses, evidence requests, and criminal investigations.
- Applied PCI-DSS guidelines, data security practices, and internal control procedures to ensure the secure handling of customer information, and audit readiness.
- Improved fraud detection quality by identifying alert trends, reducing false positives, and recommending rule tuning, and workflow enhancements to fraud analytics teams.
- Utilized Excel, SQL queries, OSINT techniques, and behavioral pattern analysis to identify organized fraud rings, mule accounts, and repeat offenders.
AML Level II Tracer
Madison Davis / Coinbase
12.2024 - 02.2025
- Investigated cryptocurrency-related fraud, account takeovers, and money laundering by tracing blockchain transactions using Chainalysis, TRM Labs, Elliptic, and wallet analysis tools.
- Performed Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) and KYC reviews on high-risk users, crypto merchants, offshore entities, and suspected mule networks in accordance with BSA/AML, FinCEN, and FATF guidelines.
- Identified red flags such as layering, darknet activity, human trafficking indicators, mixer/tumbler usage, and crypto-to-fiat structuring typologies.
- Prepared detailed Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), including transaction narratives, flow charts, wallet trace evidence, and escalation memos for law enforcement requests.
- Collaborated with compliance, risk, and law enforcement teams (FBI, HSI, IRS-CI) to escalate complex financial crime cases, freeze compromised accounts, and support subpoena responses.
- Quality Assurance (QA): Reviewed AML investigations submitted by other analysts to ensure accuracy, regulatory completeness, and SAR quality before submission; provided feedback, coaching, and process corrections to improve team performance.
- Conducted peer QA reviews for case documentation, data accuracy, transaction timeline consistency, and adherence to Coinbase’s internal policies, and regulatory standards.
- Used SQL, OSINT, device fingerprinting, VPN/proxy detection, Excel, and behavioral analytics to detect fraud rings, synthetic identities, multi-account abuse, and transaction monitoring anomalies.
AML Analyst (Consultant for Barclays Bank)
PwC
03.2022 - 08.2023
- Investigated transaction monitoring alerts involving wire transfers, correspondent banking activity, high-risk jurisdictions, complex ownership structures, and rapid fund movement.
- Conducted KYC and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) on high-risk clients, including politically exposed persons (PEPs), offshore accounts, trusts, and layered corporate structures, to verify the source of funds and beneficial ownership.
- Performed sanctions screening (OFAC, EU, UN), and escalated true matches or potential violations to the Financial Crime Compliance team in alignment with BSA/AML, FATF, and FCA regulatory standards.
- Prepared detailed Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with clear narratives, transaction patterns, timelines, and legal justification for regulatory submission.
- Identified financial crime indicators include structuring, unusual wire activity, inconsistent transaction behavior, and potential human trafficking or trade-based money laundering schemes.
- Collaborated with compliance officers, legal teams, and internal auditors to support regulatory reviews, strengthen internal controls, and ensure documentation accuracy for audit readiness.
Team Leader
Kraken Digital Asset Exchange
Dallas, Texas
02.2021 - 03.2022
- Led and mentored team of AML analysts, conducting weekly performance reviews and technical coaching.
- Managed daily alert queue across blockchain analytics tools, ensuring SLAs met without quality compromise.
- Served as final escalation point for complex investigations involving obfuscation techniques.
- Collaborated with Compliance Engineering to refine alert logic, reducing false positives while capturing high-risk activities.
- Conducted regular audits of filed SARs/STRs to ensure compliance with global regulatory standards.
- Monitored ecosystem shifts, including NFT money laundering and Liquid Staking Derivatives vulnerabilities.
AML Analyst- Blockchain Transaction Monitoring
Kraken Digital Asset Exchange
Dallas, TX
08.2018 - 01.2021
- Conducted 24/7 on-chain monitoring of BTC, ETH, LTC, and ERC-20 transactions using Chainalysis Reactor, TRM Labs, and Elliptic Navigator to detect potential money laundering, darknet activity, ransomware payouts, SIM swap fraud, and sanctioned wallet exposure.
- Identified layered transactions through Tornado Cash, Wasabi Wallet, ShapeShift, Changelly, and cross-chain bridges (BTC→ETH→XMR) to uncover obfuscation methods.
- Filed high-quality crypto-SARs to FinCEN involving darknet vendors, OFAC-sanctioned addresses, DeFi exploits, hacked exchange funds, and ransomware (LockBit, Conti).
- Conducted Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for high-net-worth crypto traders, miners, OTC brokers, off-shore entities, DAO treasury accounts and early BTC holders with >$1M in volume.
- Reduced false positives by 19% by improving monitoring rules and helping optimize blockchain alert thresholds (KYT models).
- Collaborated with legal and law enforcement for subpoenas, wallet owner attribution, civil asset recovery and account suspensions.
- Trained 12 new analysts on blockchain tracing, crypto red flags, Travel Rule compliance and sanctions screening.
Enhanced Due Diligence Analyst
Truist Bank
San Francisco, California
01.2014 - 04.2018
- Conducted EDD reviews on high-risk clients including PEPs, foreign nationals, MSBs, crypto-linked entities, and non-resident aliens.
- Identified suspicious transaction patterns (structuring, funnel accounts, shell entities, TBML) and prepared SARs filed with FinCEN.
- Reviewed high-volume transactional activity exceeding $100K+ monthly for potential money laundering or sanctions risk.
- Collaborated with OFAC, FIU, and compliance officers to resolve escalated alerts and update customer risk ratings.
- Played a key role in onboarding and refreshing high-risk corporate and personal accounts under updated CDD Rule (2016–2018).
- Provided documentation support during internal audits, OCC examinations, and regulatory reviews.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Economics
Novena University
NigeriaSkills
🔹 Financial Crime & Fraud Prevention
- Anti-money laundering (AML) investigations
- Suspicious activity reporting (SAR/STR writing)
- Fraud detection and transaction monitoring
- Crypto, blockchain tracing (Chainalysis, TRM-like tools)
- Enhanced due diligence (EDD) and KYC reviews
- Sanctions screening (OFAC, EU, UN lists)
- Fraud risk assessment and case escalation
- Human trafficking and illicit finance typology detection
🔹 Compliance & Regulatory Expertise
- BSA/AML, FinCEN, FATF standards
- Fintrac / FCA exposure (global compliance)
- Customer identification program (CIP/CDD)
- Internal controls & policy enforcement
- PCI-DSS awareness and data security standards
- Audit support and regulatory examination preparation
🔹 Tools & Technology
- Chainalysis, TRM, Elliptic (crypto forensics)
- Actimize, Verafin, and case management systems
- Excel (advanced), SQL (investigation-level queries)
- Adverse media and open source intelligence (OSINT)
- Device fingerprinting and transaction analysis tools
🔹 Risk & Analytics
- Risk scoring and behavioral pattern analysis
- Root cause identification and trend reporting
- Rule tuning, alert optimization
- KPI tracking: false positives, case resolution time, loss prevention
🔹 Leadership & Decision Making
- Team supervision and training
- Crisis management and high-risk incident response
- Ethical decision-making and policy compliance enforcement
- Interagency collaboration (law enforcement and compliance teams)
Certification
- CFE - Certified Fraud Examiner
- CAMS - Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist
- Qualys Training – Certificates of Completion:
Vulnerability Management, PCI Compliance and Endpoint Detection & Response
Career Highlights
- Risk Strategy & Leadership: Developed and executed investigative strategies for Fintech and Banking environments, managing complex fraud cases including synthetic identity, account takeover, and ACH reversal fraud.
- Operational Excellence: Reduced false positives by 19% through the optimization of blockchain monitoring rules and alert thresholds, directly improving team efficiency and the customer experience
- Conducted Level II crypto investigations at Coinbase (via Madison-Davis), involving hacked wallets, darknet transactions, mixer usage, and suspicious cross-chain activity.
- Team Development: Led the training of 12 analysts on complex financial crime typologies, sanctions screening, and regulatory compliance, ensuring high-quality case documentation across the team.
Core Leadership Competencies
Fraud Investigation & Mitigation, Transaction & Behavioral Analytics, Risk Strategy Design, Quality Assurance Leadership, Team Coaching & Development, SQL & Data Reporting, Chargeback & Payment Risk, Card & ACH Fraud, Root-Cause Analysis, FinTech & Digital Asset Risk, Cross-Functional Leadership
Timeline
Fraud Investigator II (Consultant for USAA)
PwC
03.2025 - Current
AML Level II Tracer
Madison Davis / Coinbase
12.2024 - 02.2025
AML Analyst (Consultant for Barclays Bank)
PwC
03.2022 - 08.2023
Team Leader
Kraken Digital Asset Exchange
02.2021 - 03.2022
AML Analyst- Blockchain Transaction Monitoring
Kraken Digital Asset Exchange
08.2018 - 01.2021
Enhanced Due Diligence Analyst
Truist Bank
01.2014 - 04.2018
Bachelor of Science - Economics
Novena University