Job Summary

• To provide specialist advice and support in area of specialisation enabling the provision of effective fraud risk management services.

Job Description

Investigations:

• Investigate all asset based application fraud & theft cases allocated, end to end by ensuring that all investigative/operative methodologies and standards (e.g. planning, reporting) are adhered to within prescribed time limits
• Compile a comprehensive case report containing the factual findings of the investigation, recommendations addressing people, processes, procedures and system failures or internal and external threats and forward the final report to Stakeholders.
• Provide relevant findings and evidence for the use in litigation and court proceedings to Line Management to ensure that appropriate criminal action is taken against clients who defrauded the bank, and where applicable vehicle dealerships and bond attorneys involved.   
• Attend fraud forums and steerco meetings when required.
• Attend criminal / civil court proceedings when summons to do so, to provide expert evidence in court, relating to fraud committed against Absa.
• Risk Identification and Fraud Prevention:
• Identify fraud risks or emerging risks during the course of an investigation or interactions with internal and external stakeholders, escalated upon discovery, to the relevant business unit and the Fraud Defence/Strategy Recoveries and Remediation Department for assessment and closing of gaps related to processes, policies and systems.
• Conduct a proper risk assessment with each investigation, which quantification of the exposure amount, blocking pending applications, risk mitigation and compliance reporting, Ombudsman queries and engaging with Group Legal Services etc.
• Identify high-risk Business areas, through feedback received from parties attending risk forums / investigations outcomes and perform specific fraud awareness presentations at the respective Business Units.
• Inform Heads of Business via e-mail of new trends / scams identified with further escalation to Stakeholders and Business Units for further actions.
• Operational Requirements and Compliance:
• Identify areas of improvement, make suggestions/recommendations on ways of working, concerning the investigative and operating methodologies, to line management, for further consideration, to improve standards and workflow.
• Adhere and comply with the Group policies and procedures as set out on the Absa Intranet i.e. attestations, compulsory compliance training, via the Absa Learning system.
• Work co-operatively with colleagues, contributing positively and constructively to the achievement of the organizations’ objectives.
• Stakeholder Management:
• Develop and maintain relationships (establish relevant networks) with all internal and external stakeholders, such as however not limited to Absa Business Units, SAPS, DPCI, other Banks, SARS, SABRIC, etc., to ensure that their co-operation can be obtained when required for key operations (e.g. recovery actions, data mining).
• Interact with counterparts in the industry to share information, gain an understanding of the threats and risks and to ultimately keep abreast of changes in the field and in the industry.
• Actively participate in regular meetings with stakeholder / business, providing meaningful input and sharing information on best practices / investigation findings /risk identifications etc.

Experience Required:

• Experience in fraud investigation, more specifically asset finance investigations, at any of the commercial banks or financial institutions.
• Experience in laying criminal charges at the SAPS.
• Experience in giving testimony in criminal courts, civil proceedings, and internal disciplinary meetings.
• Experience with interacting with Dealer Principles, Finance & Insurance Advisors, and Sales Staff at vehicle dealerships that may form part of the investigation where misconduct is suspected.
• Being able to travel on short notice for cross province and cross border investigations and vehicle identifications and recoveries.
• A qualification in Vehicle Crime Investigations and Vehicle Identification will be an advantage.

Educational Requirements

• Bachelors Degree or Advances Diploma in Law/ Security/ Military Science.