Course Description
Early detection can make a significant difference so the course provides practical advice on what to do in the event of suspicion. The course also highlights the consequences when suspicions are ignored. The various types of financial crime are explored, best practice in financial crime and fraud prevention is studied, and the characteristics of fraudsters are examined.
By the end of the course, existing knowledge will have been enhanced considerably enabling improved performance in the workplace.
Accreditation and MQF level
The accreditation status of this programme is a ‘‘Higher Education Programme’’. A CPD Award accredited with 4 ECTS credits (MQF/EQF Level 5) by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) will be presented to delegates who obtain a minimum pass in the relative assignment.
Target Audience
This course is particularly suitable to those who aspire to become Anti-Financial Crime Officers or those who aspire or are earmarked to take on such a role.
- C-Level, Senior and Middle Managers
- Company Directors
- Information Security Professionals
- Accountants, Internal and External Auditors
- Members of Audit/IT Security Committees
- MLROs and Compliance Officers
- Professionals engaged in financial services and who aspire to a career in Anti Money Laundering or fraud / financial crime prevention
Entry requirements
5 O-Levels and 2 A-Levels or any equivalent qualification which is approved by the MQRIC AND a minimum of 3 years working experience in Business Administration.
Duration & Mode of Attendance
This part-time course is made up of 8 live online evening webinar sessions which are spread over a period of 12 weeks.
Maximum Number of Participants
Places for this course are limited to 20 delegates on first come first serve basis.
Course Delivery Mode – Live Webinars
This course will be delivered via live online webinars. The course trainers will be visible on screen via a professional webinar platform through which students can follow the trainer presenting live whilst also using a powerpoint presentation and sharing other resources as necessary. Students will be able to interact with the trainer by sending questions or comments through the same webinar platform. Our student support team will assist all students with simple instructions on how to access the webinar online. A support line will also be made available to communicate with a student support officer in case of technical difficulties encountered during the live webinar.
All webinars – except for module 3, will also be recorded and uploaded on the student online resources portal for future reference during home study. Trainers will also dedicate very regular Q & A times during the webinar to ensure all students can have the chance to ask questions and reach the intended learning objectives. The email and contact details of the trainer will also be made available in case students would wish to get in touch with the trainer throughout the course period.
Short 10 minute breaks will be given during the webinar.
How You’ll Learn
This course will be delivered via live online webinars. The course trainers will be visible on screen via a professional webinar platform, through which students can follow the trainer presenting live, whilst also using a PowerPoint presentation and sharing other resources as necessary.
Students will be able to interact with the trainer by sending questions or comments through the same webinar platform.
The course will also make use of:
- Online Presentations
- Video Lecturing;
- Q&A via online course forum;
- Online Q&A with Educator (Trainer).
The above are considered to be contact hours as all of the above will be under control of the instructor.
Method of Assessment
At the end of the course, students will be presented with the assignment questions, where students have four or five questions and need to choose three. Maximum word count per answer is 1,500 words. Students need to submit the assignment as per the submission date on the assignment questions document provided.
Grading: The assignment questions will be corrected and students must achieve a pass mark of at least 50 marks, in order to be given a certification.
Language of Course Instruction & Course Materials
The course materials and the live webinars are in English.
Course Dates
| Modules |
Dates |
Time |
Module 1: Introduction to Financial Crime
(MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS) |
TBA |
17:30 – 20:30 |
Module 2: Fraud and Corruption
(MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS) |
TBA |
17:30 – 20:30 |
Module 3: Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism
(MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS) |
TBA |
17:30 – 20:30 |
Module 4: Cyber crime and Cyber Terrorism
(MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS) |
TBA |
17:30 – 20:30 |
Please note that as per terms and conditions, LEAD Training Services reserves the right to alter course dates, times and venue in exceptional circumstances beyond its control.
Total Hours of Learning
This is an accredited course, which requires students to commit themselves and to be responsible for their own studies. Below is a suggested guideline of the number of hours each student should dedicate to self-studying and preparing for the final written assignment.
Total Course Contact Hours
(Live Online Webinars) |
24 |
Total Course Suggested Self-Study Hours
(reading for interest & further knowledge) |
60 |
Total Course Supervised Placement and Practice Hours
(Work placement supervision) |
0 |
Total Course Suggested Assessment Hours
(Take home assignment) |
16 |
Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction to Financial Crime (MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS)
Trainer: Silvio Chetcuti, John Scicluna
ECTS credits: 1
Duration: 6 hours
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Advise on the exposure and consequences of financial crime for a particular industry and business entity
- Advise on the main types of financial crime and their characteristics
- Advise on basic suspicious financial crime transactions and act accordingly
- Advise on the measures that a business organisation can take to limit the exposure to financial crime
- Create systems and controls for countering bribery, fraud and corruption
- Guide the organization in the face of fraud awareness programmes
- Guide the organization on the development and maintenance of an ethics policy
Module 2: Fraud and Corruption (MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS)
Trainer: James Grech
ECTS credits: 1
Duration: 6 hours
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Monitor systems and controls for countering bribery and corruption
- Monitor internal investigations
- Carry out tasks to interview and identify a suspect
- Manage the results of internal investigations
- Guide the organization of fraud awareness programmes
- Guide the development and maintenance of an ethics policy
Module 3: Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism (MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS)
Trainer: Dr. Rakele Cini
ECTS credits: 1
Duration: 6 hours
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module the learner will be able to:
- Create a proactive culture within the whole organisation with respect to risks from, money laundering and funding of terrorism;
- Monitor possible suspicious activities and red flag indicators for money laundering;
- Advise on suspicious transactions reports in a proper manner, and using a risk-based approach to customers and transactions.
- Be responsible for the risk-based approach when dealing with customers and transactions, keeping in mind the concept of non-reputable jurisdiction and the effect of international sanctions on risk categorization.
- Advise on the way forward to management when the criminal is within a different jurisdiction;
- Create proper detailed procedures within an organisation for the purposes of customer due diligence for purposes of compliance with legislation in various circumstances.
- Carry out tasks which spot, report weaknesses and controls related to AML & CFT due diligence methodologies.
Module 4: Cybercrime and Cyber Terrorism (MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS)
Trainer: Jonathan-Mark Bezzina Gatt
ECTS credits: 1
Duration: 6 hours
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module the learner will be able to:
- Advise management on various cyber-criminal trends which are popular in today’s cyber-activities;
- Advise on the criminal aspect of the cyber-incident;
- Advise the management on the importance of information security policy documents
- Advise the management team as with regards to how the cyber-world is of an asset to the cyber-criminal/terrorist.
Trainers
Dr. Rakele Cini
Dr. Rakele Cini graduated Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta in 2010 and was admitted to the Maltese Bar in the subsequent year.
Rakele joined BDO Malta in August 2016 and currently heads the Risk and Compliance Department which is responsible for the areas of risk management, prevention of money laundering & financing of terrorism and conflict checks, amongst others. She has acquired years of experience within these fields as lawyer to the practice protection group of one of the local big four accounting firms.
John Scicluna
John Scicluna, a career banker for 38 years, has held posts in many areas of one of the largest banks in Malta, 17 of which were as Head of Financial Crime – Money Laundering Reporting Officer. He formed part of the European Banking Federation Prevention of Money Laundering and Fraud Committee on behalf of the Malta Bankers’ Association. He was also assigned roles within the Internal Audit Department managing investigative and analytical assignments. During his term as MLRO, John formed part of the interviewee teams during MONEYVAL’s national assessments.
He is currently the Head of Compliance of WH Partners, a leading Malta based law firm providing professional advice in various areas such as AI, banking and finance, blockchain and crypto, gaming, investment management and funds and other regulatory affairs.
John is a visiting speaker in a number of local and international seminars and training events covering AMLCFT and financial crime related topics.
James Grech
James Grech graduated with a Bachelor of Business and Commerce Degree in 2001 and later on obtained the Accountancy (Honours) degree from the University of Malta in 2003. James is Certified Public Accountant and holds a Practising Certificate in Auditing issued by the Ministry of Finance in Malta. He is also qualified as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and member of ISACA. James is also a member of the Institute of Internal Auditing (US), and is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). The CIA is the only internationally accepted certification designation for internal auditors and is the standard by which individuals demonstrate their competence and professionalism in the internal auditing and Management Consultancy field.
James is a renowned Business Consultant and Management/Business trainer and conference speaker in Malta and is also founder and Managing Director of LEAD Training Services, one of Malta’s largest professional training Institute licensed by the Malta Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA).
Jonathan-Mark Bezzina Gatt
Jonathan has graduated from Stockholm University with an MSc. Information Security. He currently resides in Stockholm. Jonathan consults with D4n6 over various client projects ranging from the implementation of Information Security Management Systems, ISO 27001 readiness and awareness training in the field of information security.
With a background in social sciences, his approach to information security is multi-disciplinary and multi-faceted, tapping into the psychology of threat agents when evaluating the security posture of an organization.
Silvio Chetcuti
Silvio graduated in Business Management from the University of Malta in November 2003. He continued to further his studies and by January 2007, had successfully completed his Masters Degree specializing in Finance from the University of Leicester. In November 2021 obtained the flagship qualification and the industry standard or MLRO’s and professionals managing money laundering risk the ICA International Diploma in Anti Money Laundering.
He joined Bank of Valletta in June 1989 and now has over 33 years of diversified experience within the Financial Services industry. His career path has led him to form part of several teams across different units within the Bank. Various roles within both the Branch network and Wealth Management have served to enrich his knowledge and expertise when dealing with portfolios of investment and credit clients. For the last 4 years he occupied the role of a Deputy MLRO at Bank of Valletta. Also he was the Lead for the Advisory, Training & Policy within the Anti-Financial Crime Department. Currently he is the AFC Specialist for the BOV Business Banking area.
Silvio offered a vast array of lecturers at different institutions including at the University of Malta and The London School of Economics and Political Science.
Testimonials
- Excellent delivery and professional tuition. I will be attending additional intakes in the near future!
R. Buttigieg (June 2022)
- Very professional, explained in detail with a knowledgeable pace to student. Given the fact it was my first experience and doing my secondary course (Anti Financial Crime), I would recommend LEAD training service without hesitation since all content was explained and introduced gradually.
R. Buttigieg (March 2022)
- The course in question was delivered in a very professional manner. It consisted of a very detailed introduction to the subject matter by a qualified professional within the industry, followed by a breakdown of the subject into modules, each with its own professional tutor. The institute provides ample knowledge for any aspiring professional and thus the material provided can be used very proficiently within various fields on professional platforms. The course is well suited for all aspiring professionals to hit the ground running in their respective field.
K. Manicolo (June 2021)
- This course was very interesting ! The lecturers are very knowledgeable and very helpful . I am glad to say that I have learned a lot and I know for sure that it will help at my workplace.
S. Grech (October 2020)
Course Funding Options
For Individuals
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GET QUALIFIED SCHEME
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