Laurence Akoshile
Dallas,USA
Summary
Results-driven Financial Crime Specialist with 13 years of experience in fraud prevention, AML compliance, and quality assurance within the financial services industry. Proven expertise in conducting in-depth investigations into fraud, money laundering, account takeovers, and sanctions-related activity. Skilled in applying BSA/AML regulations, KYC/KYB standards, and counter-terrorism compliance to mitigate risk, and ensure regulatory adherence. Adept at performing QA/QC reviews on fraud and AML cases, identifying trends, escalating complex issues, and providing feedback for continuous improvement. Strong track record of preparing accurate Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), analyzing high-volume alerts, and collaborating cross-functionally with internal teams, and law enforcement. Committed to maintaining compliance integrity, while optimizing operational efficiency, and protecting organizational assets.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Financial Intel Analyst/Fraud-QA/QC (SAR WRITER)
Bank of Hope
Plano, Texas
05.2023 - Current
- Identified trends and recurring errors in fraud referrals as part of quality assurance efforts, providing constructive feedback to investigators to strengthen investigative accuracy and overall process improvement.
- Conducted comprehensive investigations into suspected fraud, terrorist financing (CT), and sanctions, leveraging data analysis to detect patterns, anomalies, and potential control weaknesses.
- Produced clear, well-documented reports outlining investigative findings, risk assessments, and recommended actions on account closure/relationship termination.
- Drafted and ensured high-quality Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) filings with minimal oversight, in alignment with FinCEN guidelines, and institutional quality control standards for both BSA/AML and fraud cases.
- Coordinate and work on look-back projects focusing on high-risk clients: PEPs, SDN lists, and businesses dealing in regulated products, such as arms, oil, etc.
- Conducted risk-based reviews of customer activity, with consideration of KYC, KYB, AML, EDD, and sanctions compliance, as part of ongoing quality assurance.
- Investigated fraud typologies such as ACH, wire fraud, digital currency, elder abuse, and account takeovers by analyzing high-volume alerts and making risk-based decisions on customer accounts.
- Prepared Requests for Information (RFIs) for account officers to gather necessary documentation and clarifications related to sanctions, fraud investigations, or suspicious transactions.
- Performed timely and well-reasoned investigations into potentially suspicious activity, demonstrating sound judgment and evidence-based decision-making in accordance with QA/QC standards.
- Applied working knowledge of the U.S. Anti-money laundering regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, OFAC, and counter-terrorism measures, ensure adherence to the bank’s AML/BSA compliance framework.
QA/QC Anti-Money Laundering (AML) CIP/KYC Analyst
Natwest Bank
London, UK
09.2022 - 02.2023
- Partnered with the Global AML Division to ensure adherence to UK regulatory requirements on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, and tax evasion—collectively categorized under financial crime compliance.
- Performed quality assurance reviews on KYC documentation for counterparties, including private companies, SPVs, trusts, foundations, and financial institutions, to ensure completeness, accuracy, and regulatory alignment.
- Collaborated with stakeholders, such as Business Integrity and Investment teams, to drive KYC-compliant outcomes, ensuring consistent application of due diligence standards.
- Executed and validated key control processes, such as PEP and sanctions screening, by assessing true and false positive alerts, and ensuring accurate recording and monitoring of outcomes.
- Performed customer risk classification reviews in line with the Bank’s Customer Risk Assessment Methodology (CRAM), ensuring consistency in risk rating, and documentation.
- Reviewed internal systems, procedures, and workflows to assess operational effectiveness and compliance with quality benchmarks. Anomalies.
BSA/AML(KYC) Investigator (SAR WRITER)
Handelsbanken UK ٠
Manchester, UK
12.2020 - 02.2022
- Analyze transactional data to identify irregularities, suspicious activities, and potential money-laundering behaviors.
- Retrieve transaction records from the bank system, and conduct comprehensive internal and external research on customer profiles.
- Investigate flagged findings to determine whether cases can be closed, or require escalation for Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
- Prepare detailed SAR narratives outlining findings and necessary actions taken during the investigation.
- Escalate PEP and sanction screening alerts to the Business Integrity team.
- Used AML software to flag structuring, and ensure proper aggregation of transactions monitoring across accounts.
- Manage a daily or weekly quota of alerts, ensuring timely review and resolution within set expectations.
AML/Fraud and Risk Analyst
Royal Bank of Scotland/ Natwest Markets
London, UK
11.2018 - 12.2019
- Performed in-depth investigations to detect and prevent fraud related to card misuse, unauthorized transactions, and account takeovers.
- Monitored real-time account activity to identify emerging fraud patterns, escalating complex or high-risk cases to senior investigators for further action.
- Possess strong experience in investigating elder abuse and elder financial exploitation cases.
- Conducted investigations into various fraud typologies, including ACH fraud, wire fraud, and account takeovers.
- Reviewed and analyzed a high volume of fraud alerts to assess risk exposure and make informed, risk-based decisions regarding customer accounts.
- Drafted and submitted Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
- Adhered to quality control and quality assurance procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Laws (LL. B Hons) -
University of Calabar
Calabar, Nigeria01.2002
Skills
- Joint Money Laundering Steering Group guidance and regulatory obligations on KYC, KYB, AML, and ATF
- Regulatory compliance and standards (BSA, AML, USA PATRIOT Act, FCA/PRA)
- AML lookback investigations and sanction projects
- Compliance and financial management monitoring
- Suspicious/continuous activity reporting (SAR/CAR) - 90 days review
- Quality assurance and control, support audit functions
- Leadership accountability, team lead responsibility
- Team building, teamwork, and cross-collaboration
- Risk analysis/assessment
- Fraud prevention, detection, and investigation
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Software/tools - Actimize, Verafin, Mantas, SAS, PO, FLEXCUBE, World-Check, Fenergo, Keesings, Nucleus, Bankers Almanac, LexisNexis, Cifas, Microsoft 365 - Excel, Pivot, Secretary of State, Check image, Content navigator, fraud/risk portal /
Education And Professional Development
Bachelor of Laws (LL. B Hons), University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria, 09/96, 06/02
Certification
- CERTIFIED ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING SPECIALIST (CAMS) - 12/2025
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Financial Intel Analyst/Fraud-QA/QC (SAR WRITER)
Bank of Hope
05.2023 - Current
QA/QC Anti-Money Laundering (AML) CIP/KYC Analyst
Natwest Bank
09.2022 - 02.2023
BSA/AML(KYC) Investigator (SAR WRITER)
Handelsbanken UK ٠
12.2020 - 02.2022
AML/Fraud and Risk Analyst
Royal Bank of Scotland/ Natwest Markets
11.2018 - 12.2019
Bachelor of Laws (LL. B Hons) -
University of Calabar
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