ERIC SSEMPEBWA
AML /COMPLIANCE OFFICER
Dubai
Summary
Accomplished compliance professional with over 7 years in regulatory compliance, risk management, financial crime investigations, and assurance audits. Demonstrated expertise in policy/SOP development, compliance training, risk assessment, Customer Due Diligence, Enhanced Due Diligence, STR filing & reporting, KYC analysis, and Sanctions screening. Proven track record of reducing fraud, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring regulatory compliance across banking, fintech, and payment sectors. Holds certifications as an Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS), Blockchain & KYC Professional (CBKYC), and Crypto Currency Auditor (CCA).
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
4
4
Certification
Work History
SENIOR AML OFFICER
MAGNATI PAYMENT SOLUTIONS
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
07.2023 - 03.2025
- Managed magnati’s transaction monitoring activities for the acquiring SME (POS Merchants), Wallets and issuing (Prepaid cards) portfolios
- Reduced false positives by 50% through periodic tuning and implementation of transaction monitoring scenarios/thresholds, improving operational efficiency
- Drafted and issued SOPs for transaction monitoring, account termination, and sanctions screening, enhancing departmental communication and accountability
- Conducted assurance reviews on onboarding processes, reducing applications from shell/illegal entities and improving the quality of merchant onboarding
- Trained 400+ employees across departments on AML/CFT awareness, regulatory obligations, and ML/TF typologies, promoting a culture of compliance
- Acted as the first point of escalation for AML analysts regarding complex client onboarding, AML risk assessments, and STR reporting
- Provided accurate and timely MIS reports to senior management, aiding in decision-making for compliance monitoring plans and risk acceptance
- Promptly and effectively addressed scheme queries and inquiries related to merchants, transactions, and Magnati’s AML programs, minimizing the risk of non-compliance assessment fees and fines
FINANCIAL CRIME SPECIALIST
NOON PAYMENTS
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
12.2021 - 07.2023
- Managed overall sanctions screening for new and existing customers/merchants
- Led the KYC/onboarding process for payment gateway merchants and e-wallet customers, ensuring compliance with AML regulations
- Conducted gap analysis for over 10 central bank AML/CFT regulations, identifying gaps and providing actionable recommendations to senior management
- Enhanced AML policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory requirements and reducing compliance deficiencies
- Monitored transaction reports to detect suspicious transactions and conducted detailed investigations, reducing financial crime risks
- Communicated key AML and sanctions issues to senior management, providing regular updates and recommending changes to improve compliance processes
- Conducted due diligence reviews for over 100+ strategic business partners and merchants, evaluating potential compliance and regulatory risks
- Conducted testing and sanity checks against any changes made on Sanctions Screening and SAS AML systems
AML ANALYST
EMIRATES NBD BANK PJSC
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
08.2021 - 12.2021
- Reviewed and escalated 100+ alerts monthly generated by core banking system against customer transactions
- Identifying potential ML/CFT cases and ensuring timely resolution
- Conducted Due Diligence (CDD) on retail and corporate accounts, ensuring compliance with bank policies and regulatory standards
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to investigate alerts and identify potential ML/CFT or fraud cases, escalating suspicious cases to the SAR team
- Proactively identified financial crime trends through data analysis, providing recommendations to mitigate risks
- Raised RFIs to customer relationship managers on alerted transactions, ensuring timely and accurate communication with key stakeholders
- Coordinated with branches, departments and stakeholders on compliance matters to harmonized opinions on all aspects of money laundering and regulatory compliance issues
- Performed regular screening of client database to ensure existing clients are not listed in any blacklists
COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT
JBK CONSULTING (U) LTD
Remote
05.2020 - 08.2021
- Developed and implemented AML policies and procedures, ensuring client compliance with FIA/Central Bank regulations
- Conducted sanctions screening and identified blocked persons, PEPs, and SDNs, mitigating regulatory risks for clients
- Represented clients during compliance assessments and regulatory examinations, ensuring preparedness and minimizing non-compliance findings
- Reviewed AML programs to ensure policies and procedures complied with FIA/Central Bank regulations
- Conducted onsite or virtual client discussions related to KYC and AML for periodic reviews and new client adoptions
SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS ANALYST
NOOR BANK PJSC
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
11.2018 - 03.2020
- Prepared and submitted 200+ STRs to the central bank via GoAML, ensuring timely reporting of suspicious activities
- Monitored/screened FCY and AED transactions for potential fraud and ML activities, reducing irregularities
- Conducted KYC checks by performing background verifications, negative news searches, and PEP screening
- Responded to central bank inquiries and provided prompt responses to correspondent banks regarding customer transactions
- Prepared and executed central bank (CBUAE)/Law enforcement requests such freezing orders and KYC information received through the IEMS platform
- Identified especially designated/blocked persons by conducting daily sanctions screening against customer databases
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Makerere University
Kampala, 10201.2016
Skills
- General understanding and Application of international AML/CFT policies, procedures and standards
- AML/CFT Expertise: Regulatory compliance, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, KYC/CDD/EDD, risk assessment
- Leadership & Training: Team leadership, stakeholder communication, compliance training
- Analytical Skills: Data analysis, fraud detection, trend analysis, risk mitigation
- Policy Development: Drafting and implementing AML policies, procedures, and SOPs
Accomplishments
- Reduced false positives by over 50% through tuning and implementation of transaction monitoring scenarios at Magnati Payment Solutions.
- Conducted AML/CFT training for 400+ employees, increasing compliance awareness and reducing regulatory risks.
- Drafted and implemented SOPs for transaction monitoring, account termination, and sanctions screening, improving departmental accountability and efficiency.
- Prepared and submitted 200+ Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) to the FIU via GoAML at Noor Bank PJSC, ensuring timely reporting of suspicious activities.
- Conducted gap analysis on new central bank AML/CFT regulations at Noon Payments, providing actionable recommendations to senior management.
- Reduced card fraud and illegal transactions by implementing transaction monitoring activities for prepaid cards at Magnati Payment Solutions.
- Identified and mitigated risks by conducting sanctions screening and identifying blocked persons, PEPs, and SDNs at JBK Consulting (U) Ltd and Noor Bank PJSC.
Certification
- Certified Cryptocurrency Auditor (CCA) | Blockchain Council | 09/01/24
- Certified Blockchain and KYC Professional (CBKYC) | Blockchain Council | 01/01/22
- Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) | ACAMS | 05/01/20
- Know Your Customer and Financing of Illegal Organization | Noor Learning Academy | 05/01/19
Training And Workshops
- Sanctions & TFS: TFS Pertaining to UNSCR 1373, Sanctions Evasion Typologies, TFS Implementations for DNFBPs.
- AML/CFT Best Practices: Applying Risk-Based Approach, Strengthening Compliance with FATF Measures, Best Practices for Countering Proliferation Financing.
- Screening & Compliance: Good Screening Practices, Ownership & Control, Combating Sanction Evasion.
Affiliations
- Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), 2020 - Present
- Blockchain Council, 2022 - Present
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Compliance Tools: GoAML, SAS-AML, Firco Screening, IEMS, EDMS, ICCS.
- Data Analysis: Advanced Excel, PowerBI, MIS Reporting, Trend Analysis.
- Regulatory Knowledge: AML/CFT regulations, GDPR, FATF standards, VISA/MasterCard rules.
- Blockchain Tools: Ethereum, Bitcoin, Hyperledger, Crypto Compliance Tools.
- Other Software: Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, CRM Systems.
Timeline
SENIOR AML OFFICER
MAGNATI PAYMENT SOLUTIONS
07.2023 - 03.2025
FINANCIAL CRIME SPECIALIST
NOON PAYMENTS
12.2021 - 07.2023
AML ANALYST
EMIRATES NBD BANK PJSC
08.2021 - 12.2021
COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT
JBK CONSULTING (U) LTD
05.2020 - 08.2021
SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS ANALYST
NOOR BANK PJSC
11.2018 - 03.2020
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Makerere University