Afifi Syazwan Bin Othman
Section Head, Mule Management
Kuala Lumpur
Summary
Results-driven compliance and anti-financial crime professional with extensive experience in transaction monitoring, mule management, and financial crime investigations within the banking sector. Proven track record in leading high-performing teams, streamlining operational processes, and implementing system enhancements to strengthen compliance functions. Recognised as a subject matter expert in mule management and transaction monitoring, with strong capabilities in training delivery, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory reporting. Successfully managed major projects, including system migrations and machine learning integration, while ensuring adherence to internal guidelines and regulatory standards. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to drive operational excellence and mitigate financial crime risks effectively.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Section Head, Mule Management
Bank Simpanan Nasional
07.2024 - Current
- Formed and led the Mule Management team, acting as the key contact and subject matter expert for stakeholders across the organization and beyond.
- Prepared comprehensive allocation reports for analysts, including Alerts Review, NFP entries, updates and delisting, and adhoc reviews.
- Responsible for managing the overall mule database, including navigating the Industry Fraud Portal (IFP) and National Fraud Portal (NFP), as well as maintaining the internal mule database, and overseeing the entry and exit of mule customers.
- Successfully led the migration project from IFP to NFP in collaboration with PayNet and other internal stakeholders.
- Analyzed and exercised sound judgment in managing mule-related disputes in accordance with internal guidelines and procedures.
- Collaborated with senior management and other divisions and departments to develop strategic initiatives and long-term goals.
- Identified opportunities to enhance business process flows and productivity, including establishing a Case Investigation Template (CIT) tailored for mule reviews, integrating SQL for data gathering to reduce human error, and automating repetitive processes.
- Contributed to the implementation of machine learning processes to enhance mule-related alert detection.
- Provided training on fraud, scam, and mule topics to branch staff during the Compliance Roadshow, which was attended by state directors, state heads of departments, and branch officers nationwide.
Senior Executive, Transaction Monitoring
Bank Simpanan Nasional
07.2022 - 06.2024
- Led a small unit within the Transaction Monitoring (TM) team, and served as the subject matter expert for the group.
- Streamlined operations to enhance efficiency by identifying bottlenecks in TM processes, and implementing targeted solutions through process simplification and automation.
- Performed mule management tasks prior to the establishment of the Mule Management Team (MMT), including mule alerts review, IFP management, and preparation of monthly reports for senior management.
- Successfully cleared a backlog of TM alerts spanning over 12 months, prior to establishing and transitioning to the Mule Management Team (MMT).
- Acted as Relief Officer for the Section Head during periods of absence.
- Provided process training to new hires within the department, and conducted AML/CFT training for the bank-wide induction program.
- Provided training for the AML/CFT Internal Certification Programme (ICP) to business and back-end staff engaged in compliance functions.
- Provided training for branch staff during the AML/CFT Roadshow, which included participation from State Directors, State Heads of Departments, and branch officers nationwide.
Manager
Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad
01.2021 - 06.2022
- Led a team of 30 Transaction Monitoring Analysts, responsible for monitoring all transactions conducted by customers and staff of Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, and Alliance Islamic Bank Malaysia Berhad.
- Performed second-level checks (Checker) for Level 1 analysts to ensure case closures complied with internal guidelines and SOPs.
- Conducted monthly QA sampling checks for Level 2 staff to maintain compliance with guidelines and SOPs.
- Allocated daily and monthly alerts to analysts based on predefined bucketing to ensure effective workload distribution.
- Ensured all alerts and cases were closed within agreed turnaround times.
- Prepared monthly and ad-hoc dashboards and reports for Bank Negara Malaysia, the Board of Directors, the Group Compliance Management Committee, and the Head of AML/CFT on transaction monitoring matters.
- Delivered classroom training for new joiners, and refresher training for existing staff.
- Acted as the primary point of contact for all transaction monitoring-related matters.
- Directly involved in the implementation of the new AML system (Concorde), including scenario selection, workflow creation, UAT simulation testing, and staff training on the new system’s interface and functionalities.
- Successfully cleared all backlog alerts generated between 2015 and 2017.
- Participated in the implementation of the Virtualization Staff Program, involving 16–20 staff across branches nationwide, including providing training and ensuring virtual staff were equipped to perform daily tasks effectively.
Assistant Manager
Ambank (M) Berhad
03.2017 - 12.2020
- Review cases that have been escalated by Level 1(L1) analyst. If the case was valid, proceed with the Suspicious Transaction Report (STR). Otherwise, prepare a proper full narrative on counterargument to close the case.
- Prepare a full narrative for STR submission to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)
- Review customer’s transaction to spot unusual activities according to procedure, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) guideline, and the AMLAFTPUAA 2001, based on alerts generated in the system (Detica and Oracle)
- Review PEPs account, high net worth customers’ account, and staff accounts (Highly Confidential account).
- Review junior analysts Case Disposition to ensure at the highest quality.
- Approve or Reject disposition by L1 Analyst.
- Prepare the BAU allocation report for the RecSAR team.
- Conduct Customer Relationship Review (CRR) and recommend the bank to end relationship with high-risk customer (based on certain criteria).
- Manual case investigation on non-triggered customer based on certain criteria (keyword search etc)
- Monthly MIS reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) on STR numbers and typologies.
- System Involved: BNM Fins, Oracle, Detica(Norkom), CTOS, Dow Jones, Internal System.
- Adhocs: Lead the AmLookup team, a biweekly bulletin for members of the Group Compliance to share latest news, knowledge and updates on AML and Transaction Monitoring related issue.
- Provide classroom training for junior analyst to increase RecSAR narrative quality.
- Provide guidance and one-on-one training to junior analysts on case review.
- Involved directly in the implementation of part of the remediation plans in the Directive of Compliance (DOC) set by Bank Negara Malaysia.
- Interview potential candidates for the Transaction Monitoring Team.
- Involved in Town Hall and other department event planning.
- Assist other team in Group Compliance in the respective team’s BAU, including sanction screening, name screening, Customer Due Diligence (CDD) Advisory etc.
Global Support Executive
HSBC Electronics Data Processing (M) Sdn Bhd
11.2014 - 03.2017
- Investigated payments pended by Level 1 and Level 2 officers, making final decisions on referral or release based on established procedures.
- Referred valid, pended payments to Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) and obtained the required information from Relationship Managers (RMs) or remitting banks in accordance with guidelines.
- Handled and responded to emails from relevant parties, escalating cases to the FCC when necessary after gathering the required information.
- Processed payment cancellations upon request by RM or branches, under the advice of the FCC.
- Assisted the production team with system testing on weekends to support SOP improvements.
- Prepared and submitted End of Day (EOD) reports to the Vice President.
- Underwent various trainings, including AML training, global standards training, and refresher courses.
- Provided support across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia and New Zealand, covering 20 countries.
- Special Projects/Ad-hoc: Contributed to the implementation of automation tools for case creation to optimize efficiency and reduce FTE requirements.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Actuarial Science
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)
Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia 01.2012 - 01.2014
Diploma - Actuarial Science
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)
Tapah Road, Perak, Malaysia 01.2009 - 01.2012
Skills
Microsoft Office
SQL
Various AML System
Team management
Coaching and mentoring
Training and mentoring
Teamwork and collaboration
Analytical skills
Certification
Advanced Certification in Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism by Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) and International Compliance Association (ICA)
Outside Of Work Project
Guest speaker for Malaysia Actuarial Student Association (MASA) Actuariology career fair program for a talk titled 'Comply With Anti-Money Laundering'
Timeline
Section Head, Mule Management
Bank Simpanan Nasional
07.2024 - Current
Senior Executive, Transaction Monitoring
Bank Simpanan Nasional
07.2022 - 06.2024
Manager
Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad
01.2021 - 06.2022
Assistant Manager
Ambank (M) Berhad
03.2017 - 12.2020
Global Support Executive
HSBC Electronics Data Processing (M) Sdn Bhd
11.2014 - 03.2017
Bachelor of Science - Actuarial Science
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)
01.2012 - 01.2014
Diploma - Actuarial Science
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)
01.2009 - 01.2012
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