Fraud Investigator (Remote)

Role Description

The Fraud Investigator plays a critical role in the bank's Financial Intelligence Unit, focusing on identifying, analyzing, and mitigating fraudulent activities escalated from the Fraud Operations and first-line fraud teams. The individual will manage investigations with a strong emphasis on quality, timeliness, and compliance with regulatory standards. Responsibilities also include drafting Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) as necessary. This position requires a high degree of analytical thinking, expertise in financial crimes, and attention to detail to support the bank's commitment to combating fraud while adhering to relevant financial regulations.

Role Objectives

•    Conduct thorough investigations of escalated fraud cases, utilizing relevant tools, resources, and methodologies. 
•    Prepare, draft, and file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) in compliance with regulatory standards and deadlines.
•    Develop concise, well-supported case summaries, addressing red flags, and recommendations for remediation or further action.
•    Ensure timely resolution of cases while maintaining the highest standard of accuracy and thoroughness.
•    Collaborate effectively with the Fraud Operations team to review and prioritize escalated cases for investigation.
•    Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, including Fraud Operations and Fraud Compliance teams.  
•    Communicate clearly and professionally with team members, management, and external parties when required.
•    Act as a trusted advisor within the bank by sharing investigative insights and collaborating to strengthen fraud prevention efforts.
•    Foster a collaborative environment that supports knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the Financial Intelligence Unit and Financial Crimes Compliance team. 
•    Maintain up-to-date knowledge of fraud trends, schemes, and mitigation strategies to identify potential risks effectively.
•    Stay current with regulatory requirements related to fraud investigations and SAR filings, ensuring all activities meet legal and compliance standards.
•    Utilize investigative tools, techniques, and databases to investigate fraudulent activities and patterns.
•    Apply sound judgment and critical thinking to assess the severity of fraud cases and recommend appropriate course of action, including potential Suspicious Activity Report recommendation and ability to present supporting evidence.

Qualifications and Skills

•    Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
•    Must have experience drafting and filing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs). 
•    3+ years of experience in financial crimes investigation, fraud investigations, or a related role.
•    Exposure to identity theft, synthetic identities, account takeover (ATO), check fraud, first-party fraud and other fraud typologies.
•    Strong knowledge of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and related regulations.
•    Exceptional analytical and investigation skills with a keen eye for detail.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•    Must be detail-oriented with the ability to handle multiple cases concurrently requiring multi-tasking skills
•    Proficiency in using various investigative tools, software, and databases.
•    Experience in digital banking fraud investigations, retail banking and loan fraud knowledge is a plus.
•    Certification(s) such as CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist), CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), or equivalent preferred.