Fintech refers to the use of technology for designing and delivering financial services. It includes companies like Visa, PayPal, FirstBank, Chime, etc. It includes products such as Crypto, SoFI, Venmo, Robinhood, etc. These companies require more reliable identity verification and security compliance technology for smooth business operations. The growing volumes of transactional breaches and complex fraud structures compel FinTech to adopt authentic security protocols. Anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations are the primary requirements of FinTech companies to adhere to smooth work operation management.
Why do FinTech Companies Need KYC and AML Compliance?
FinTech companies face security threats and regulatory challenges with criminal attacks and shell companies. Imposters use highly complex strategies to access business structures for network breaches. To combat all insecurities and fraud attacks, FinTech requires AML and KYC companies to maintain a trustworthy business landscape and streamlined work operations. Fintech companies require screening sanction lists, politically exposed parties, conducting KYC procedures, and reporting potential risks to overcome fraud attacks. All such processes eliminate the risk of fraud attacks, financial terrorism, and network breaches. Additionally, AML and KYC processes provide in-depth analysis of individual risk potential and allow Fintech to combat money laundering and illicit transactions.
What are the Main Risks that FinTech Faces?
Law enforcement and regulatory authorities design effective AML and KYC regulations to prevent fraud attacks in financial and non-financial institutions. Industries must acknowledge the type of risk that is associated with client profiles. It enables firms to handle challenges more effectively. Following are the common types of associated risk that are essential to be acknowledged and addressed;
Transactional Speed
4G and 5G internet services allow users to have quick transactional operations for heavy amounts. It provided a way for criminals who use complex strategies and breach networks to obtain amounts illegally. Money launderers use fast internet service to transfer funds over different fintech accounts to make it white. It helps them to avoid the scrutiny of legal authorities and perform money laundering successfully. Fintech companies suffer heavy legal penalties and reputational damage for disseminating ways for fraudsters.
Customer Identities
Companies often suffer fake IDs with weak security measures. Imposters submit misleading and false personal information generated through machine learning mechanisms. A Fintech service operating online may fall prey to fake users and suffer network breaches. Additionally, fraudsters exploit anonymity associated with online transactions and perform financial terrorism. Electronic Identity Verification (eIDV) serve as a tool to overcome fraud in digital traveling sectors.
Regulatory Gaps
Technological advancement often surpasses the capability of regulators and detects the ways fraudsters use to execute their illicit plans. Money launderers exploit this network and identify companies’ weaknesses to blind spot regulations. Therefore, law enforcement designed AML compliance regulations that protect fintech companies from fraudster attacks and enhanced security protocols against imposters’ complex strategies. Additionally, fintech services are required to adhere to these regulations to eliminate money laundering and transactional losses.
Different Forms of Money Laundering in Fintech Companies
Money launderers use various techniques to perform their activities in Fintech companies. Most of the time, they access companies in the following ways:
Shell Companies
Such business entities are the criminal’s way to conceal illicit resources of funding. They use different techniques to pose as a company and attempt to conceal heavy funds. Many criminals do not own anything, but they use fake IDs, easily hide their activities, and perform money laundering. These companies are criminal attacks that they pose to assist Fintech with network breaches and financial terrorism. These companies are not actively engaged in any business and do not hold any particular assets.
Structuring
Criminals attempt to split their large sums into a series of small transactional amounts. It enables them to avoid scrutiny from law enforcement. They design complex web structures to use FinTech companies under the threshold to overcome their attention.
Heavy Transactional Smuggling
This method holds the physical cash transferring over borders through unlawful means and strategies. It involves subsequent deposits into banks to remain unnoticed and untrapped.
Money Mulling
It involves enlisting a third party to interact with Fintech services and companies. Criminals use indirect resources to integrate illicit funds into financial sectors. These are money mules who can be vulnerable members of any community. Such money mules are often those members who remain unnoticed by regular authorities, like disabled persons.
Final Words
FinTech companies are more vulnerable to financial terrorism, network breaches, and money laundering. They require KYC Verification and AML compliance to have robust security measures for fraud prevention. EIDV for the travel industry is a tool to deter criminal attacks. Fintech companies are required to adhere to AML regulations to address risks and methods that criminals use for illicit plan execution. Additionally, these regulations serve as reliable ID verification and protect FinTech companies from legal complications.
