The world of financial crime and fraud prevention is a high-stakes arena where the victories are often quiet and the threats are constantly evolving. It’s a field where success is measured not in headlines but in averted crises, protected customers, and a fortified financial system. For the professionals on the front lines, this is more than a job—it’s an essential battle against a complex and relentless enemy.
In a global economy where digital transactions are the norm and new technologies emerge daily, financial crime has grown in sophistication and scale. The rapid rise of Generative AI, for example, has given fraudsters new tools to create hyper-realistic scams, from deepfake videos to convincing phishing emails. Meanwhile, geopolitical instability and evolving regulatory landscapes mean that compliance professionals are in a constant state of adaptation, navigating a fragmented web of sanctions and anti-money laundering (AML) laws.
It’s a demanding and often thankless job. The long hours, the meticulous attention to detail, and the pressure of knowing that a single oversight could have catastrophic consequences for your organisation, your customers, and your reputation can take a significant toll. That’s why it is more important than ever to recognise and celebrate the dedication, innovation, and expertise of the individuals and teams who are winning this unseen battle.
The FinCrime & Fraud Prevention Awards were created for this very purpose: to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who are shaping the future of financial integrity. Here, we delve into some of the categories that define the cutting edge of this fight.
Pioneering Technology and Strategy
The war on financial crime is increasingly fought with technology, and the awards celebrate those who are leading the charge.
Best Use of AI: AI is a double-edged sword. While it’s a powerful tool for fraudsters, it is an even more potent weapon in the hands of security professionals. This award recognizes the teams pioneering its use to identify complex patterns, flag suspicious behavior, and predict future threats with unparalleled speed and accuracy. It’s about leveraging technology to stay one step ahead of the criminals and transforming FinCrime defenses from reactive to proactive.
Best FinCrime SaaS Solution: The shift to cloud-based software has democratized access to powerful FinCrime tools. This award celebrates the companies providing innovative, scalable, and user-friendly software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions that empower organizations of all sizes to enhance their security and compliance. It’s a nod to the vital role of technology partners in the broader fight.
FinCrime Start-Up of the Year: The best solutions often come from bold new ideas. This category honors the start-ups that are disrupting the status quo, challenging conventional wisdom, and bringing fresh innovation to the market. This is where you’ll find the future of the industry being built.
The Front Lines of Defense
These awards highlight the teams and processes that form the first and last lines of defense for every organization.
Customer Onboarding & Screening Team of the Year: The journey to building trust with a customer begins at day zero. This award recognizes the teams that have built a seamless, secure, and highly effective customer onboarding process. In a world where digital identities are constantly under threat, this team’s work is critical to preventing fraudulent accounts and building a foundation of trust.
AML Team of the Year: Anti-Money Laundering is a cornerstone of financial crime prevention. This award honors the teams that demonstrate excellence in their work, from meticulous transaction monitoring to diligent reporting. Their efforts are essential to ensuring the integrity of the financial system and preventing criminal activity from flourishing.
Fraud Detection and Prevention Team of the Year: This category is for the teams that are actively protecting customers and companies from direct financial loss. Whether it’s stopping a scam before it succeeds or recovering assets after an attack, this award celebrates the strategic thinking and rapid response needed to protect against the most direct and tangible threats.
The Human Element and Community Impact
While technology is crucial, the human element—the talent, leadership, and culture—remains the most important factor in a robust defense.
Financial Crime Professional of the Year: This is a celebration of individual excellence. This award honors the professionals whose expertise, leadership, and commitment have made a significant impact on their organization and the wider community. It’s a chance to recognize the mentors, the innovators, and the tireless guardians who inspire us all.
Influencer of the Year: In an industry where knowledge sharing and collaboration are key, this award celebrates the individuals who are shaping the conversation. Whether through public speaking, writing, or social media, these influencers are raising awareness, educating their peers, and building a stronger, more connected community.
Diversity Champion: Innovation and resilience thrive in diverse teams. This award recognizes the individuals and teams who are championing diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that the next generation of FinCrime professionals represents the full breadth of society and can bring unique perspectives to solve complex problems.
Woman of the Year: This award honors the women who are leading the way in the FinCrime and fraud prevention space. It celebrates their achievements, leadership, and contributions, and aims to inspire a new generation of female leaders to enter and excel in the industry.
By nominating yourself, your team, or a deserving peer, you are not just entering a competition. You are contributing to a vital conversation about the future of financial crime prevention and ensuring that the hard work of so many is finally brought into the light.
Continue the Conversation at #RISK Europe
The FinCrime & Fraud Prevention Awards are just one part of a wider conversation on modern risk. To deepen your expertise and connect with the community, join us at the #RISK Europe conference and expo, taking place alongside the awards.
The event, held on November 12-13 at ExCeL London, features a number of sessions directly relevant to the categories highlighted here:
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Financial Crime Risk: From Crypto Laundering to AI-Driven Fraud: This session will show you how to build fraud detection and anti-money laundering frameworks that keep up with today’s threats.
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Risk in a Converging World: Where Cyber, Privacy, and FinCrime Collide: Learn how to break down silos and manage intersecting risks across data, digital threats, and illicit finance.
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KEYNOTE: App Store Origins: Anti-Fraud from Music Rights to Digital Identity: Join Jesse Tayler, inventor of the App Store, as he traces the evolution of digital trust and connects it to today’s challenges in identity and fraud prevention.
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The New Financial Crime Frontier: Tackling MLTM and APP Fraud with AI: This session will explore how AI and integrated monitoring are becoming essential tools for detecting fraud and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations from the FCA.
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from the best, network with your peers, and continue the critical work of protecting our financial future.
Secure your place at #RISK Europe - FREE ticket
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