Which actions should the investigator recommend to mitigate risk?

An investigator is reviewing a case generated from the transaction monitoring system, with two large amounts of incoming remittance (IR) to an individual customer. Based on the KYC profile, the customer is a plant manager of a famous multi-national electronics manufacturing firm. As the customer has no similarly large transaction patterns for the past 2 years, the investigator sends an inquiry to the relationship manager (RM) about the nature of the transaction. The RM replies that the transaction is a consultancy fee provided from two different electronics companies with a debit note provided However, there is no detail of service provided on the debit note, and the remitters are two individuals.

Which actions should the investigator recommend to mitigate risk? (Select Two.)
A . Exit the relationship with the customer.
B . Document and maintain a file with the investigative findings.
C . Discuss the investigation findings with the customer.
D . Conduct enhanced due diligence.
E . Re-evaluate the customer risk profile.

View Answer

Answer: D, E

Explanation:

The actions that the investigator should recommend to mitigate risk are conducting enhanced due diligence (D) and re-evaluating the customer risk profile (E). These actions are appropriate and prudent, as they allow the investigator to obtain more information and evidence about the nature and purpose of the transactions, the source and destination of the funds, and the identity and legitimacy of the parties involved. According to the ACAMS Advanced Financial Crimes Investigations Certification Study Guide1, “the FI should conduct enhanced due diligence on all parties involved in the investigation, including checking various sources of information, such as watch lists, sanctions lists, negative news, and official registries” (p. 24). The FI should also “re-assess the customer risk profile based on any new information obtained during the investigation, and adjust the customer due diligence and monitoring requirements accordingly” (p. 25).

The other options are not as appropriate or effective as options D and E. The investigator should not recommend exiting the relationship with the customer (A), as this could be premature or disproportionate, as well as potentially discriminatory or illegal. The investigator should not recommend documenting and maintaining a file with the investigative findings (B), as this is not an action to mitigate risk, but rather a standard procedure for any investigation. The investigator should not recommend discussing the investigation findings with the customer ©, as this could compromise the integrity and objectivity of the investigation, as well as expose the FI to legal or regulatory risks.

Reference: 1: ACAMS Advanced Financial Crimes Investigations Certification Study Guide