50 Shocking Statistics About Money Laundering and Cryptocurrency
Money laundering is a financial crime that relies on stealth and flying under the radar. Understandably, detection poses a significant challenge in this field. Historians think that the term money laundering originated from the Italian mafia, specifically by Al Capone. During the 1920s and 30s, Capone and his associates would buy laundromats (where ‘laundering’ comes from) to mask profits made from illegal activities such as prostitution and selling bootlegged liquor. The statistics about money laundering are difficult to assess given the secretive nature of the crime.
Money laundering legislation has been created and implemented in countries all over the globe, and global organisations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regulate the global banking industry’s activities. Yet money laundering remains a threat and a phenomenon that is hard to track. Despite its incognito nature, there are some statistical insights available on this global crime that costs the world around USD 2 trillion every year.
Statistics on Money Laundering
- In 2009, the estimated global success rate of money laundering controls was a mere 0.2% (according to the UN and US State Department)
- Authorities intercepted USD 3.1 billion worth of laundered money in 2009. Over 80% of which was seized in North America (UN estimate)
- The estimated global spending on AML compliance-related fines was USD 10 Billion in 2014.
- Globally, banks have spent an estimated USD 321 billion in fines since 2008 for failing to comply with regulatory standards, facilitating money laundering, terrorist financing, and market manipulation.
- In 2019, banks paid more than USD 6.2 billion in AML fines globally.
- FIU has categorised 9,500 non-banking financial companies (out of an estimated 11,500 registered) as ‘high-risk financial institutions’, indicating non-compliance, as of 2018.
- As of 2020, the USA was deemed compliant for 9 and largely compliant for 22 out of 40 FATF recommendations.
- In India as of 2018, approximately 884 companies are on high alert for money laundering and assets worth INR 50 billion. They are being probed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA 2002).
- From 2016-17, searches were conducted in money laundering 161 cases filed under PMLA
- As of 2018, India was deemed compliant for 4 of the core 40 +9 FATF recommendations, largely compliant for 25, and non-compliant for 5 out of 6 core recommendations.
- The estimated amount of total money laundered annually around the world is 2-5% of the global GDP (USD 800 Billion – 2 trillion)
- In 2009, total spending on illicit financial activities like money laundering was 3.6% of the global GDP, with USD 1.6 trillion laundered (according to the UNODC)
- Over 200,000 cases of money laundering are reported to the authorities in the UK annually.
- About 50% of cases of money laundering reported in Latin America are by financial firms.
- According to the government of India, approximately USD 18 billion is lost through money laundering each year.
- A 1996 report published by Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok estimated that a figure equal to 15% of the country’s GDP ($28.5 billion) was illegally laundered money.
- In the UK, the total penalties from June 2017 to April 2019 on anti-money laundering non-compliance was £241,233,671.
- Iran stands at the top of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) risk index with a score of 8.6, the world’s highest. Afghanistan comes second with a score of 8.38, while Guinea-Bissau comes 3rd with a score of 8.35.
- Mexican drug cartels launder at least USD 9 billion (5% of the country’s GDP) each year
- Money laundering takes up about 1.2% of the EU’s total GDP.
- Completing the Know Your Customer (KYC) process usually costs banks around USD 62 million.
- 88% of consumers say their perception of a business is improved when a business invests in the customer experience, especially finance and security.

Cryptocurrency Money Laundering Statistics
The cryptocurrency space presented an unexplored and unfamiliar territory to AML regulators and still remains so in some parts of the world. However, many governments such as Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, China, the U.S.A, and Spain, among others, have been actively regulating the crypto market in their countries.
While crypto regulations for anti-money laundering are relatively new, some statistical insights into this newly formed industry are available.
- Europol (financial analyst agency) claims that the Bitcoin mixer laundered 27,000 Bitcoins (valued at over $270 Million), since its launch in May 2018.
- Research shows that the total amount of money laundered through Bitcoin since its inception in 2009 is about USD 4.5 Billion.
- 97% of ransomware catalogued in 2019 demanded payment in Bitcoin.
- The UK-based crypto firm, Bottle Pay ceased operations in 2019 due to the regulatory requirements prescribed by the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive. The firm closed down operations after raising USD 2 million because it did not agree with the KYC requirements outlined in 5AMLD.
- In the first five months of 2020, crypto thefts, hacks, and frauds totalled $1.36 billion, indicating 2020 could see the greatest total amount stolen in crypto crimes exceeding 2019’s $4.5 billion.
- The global average of direct criminal funds received by exchanges dropped 47% in 2019. (Darknet marketplace)
- In the first five months of 2020, crypto thefts, hacks, and frauds totalled $1.36 billion.
- Though the total value collected by criminals from crypto crimes is among the highest recorded, the global average of criminal funds sent directly to exchanges dropped 47% in 2019.
- 57% of FATF-approved Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) still have weak, porous anti-money laundering measures. Their AML solutions and KYC processes fall at the weak end of the required standard.
- Japan reported over 7,000 cases of money laundering via cryptocurrencies in 2018.
- Only 0.17% of funds received by crypto exchanges in 2019 were sent directly from criminal sources.

Anti-money Laundering Software Market
With money laundering methods evolving at a rapid pace and regulatory compliance requirements adapting to combat them, AML Software has become an indispensable part of any institution’s Anti-money Laundering process. The Regtech market for AML software is growing at a strong rate.
- The global anti-money laundering software market was valued at $879.0 million in 2017 and is projected to reach $2,717.0 million by 2025.
- 44% of banks reported an increase of 5–10% in their AML and BSA budgets and are expected to increase their spending by 11-20% in 2017.

Fraud
Another financial crime that is quite a common occurrence, fraud also poses a problem for financial institutions and their clients across the world. Fraud and money laundering have an unseen connection.
Money that is acquired through fraudulent means often needs to be laundered to be usable and accepted in the mainstream economy. Fraud and money laundering may not seem related at first sight, but they certainly are. Here are a few statistics on fraud across the world.
- 47% of Americans have had their card information compromised at some point and have been victim to credit card fraud
- 21% of Americans have faced debit card fraud
- Credit card fraud amounts to around USD 22 billion globally
- 47% of the world’s credit card fraud cases occur in the US
- 69% of scams occur when the consumer is approached via telephone or email
- Credit card fraud increased by 18.4% last year and is on the rise
- Identity theft makes up 14.8% of all reported fraud cases
- Worldwide financial institutions paid fines amounting to USD 24.26 billion last year due to payment fraud
- Identity theft represents about 14.8 per cent of consumer fraud complaints with reports of 444,602 reported cases in 2018
- Identity fraudsters robbed USD16 billion from 12.7 million U.S. consumers in 2014
- They stole USD18 billion in the U.S. in 2013
- The total number of cases of fraud in 2019 was 650,572
- The end of July 2020 showed over 150,000 COVID-19-related fraud threats
- In 2019, almost 165 million records containing personal data were exposed through fraud-related data breaches
- Identity theft is most common for consumers aged between 20-49 years
To know how Tookitaki combats money laundering and other financial crimes with cutting-edge technology, speak to one of our experts today.
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Top AML Scenarios in ASEAN

The Role of AML Software in Compliance

The Role of AML Software in Compliance


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Fraud Detection System: How Malaysia Can Stay One Step Ahead of Digital Crime
As Malaysia’s financial system goes digital, fraud detection systems are becoming the silent guardians of consumer trust.
Malaysia’s Expanding Fraud Challenge
Malaysia is experiencing a digital transformation unlike anything seen before. QR payments, e-wallets, instant transfers, digital banks, and cross-border digital commerce have rapidly become part of everyday life.
Innovation has brought convenience, but it has also enabled a wave of sophisticated financial fraud. Criminal networks are using faster payment channels, deep social engineering, and large mule networks to steal and move funds before victims or institutions can react.
The Royal Malaysia Police, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and cybersecurity agencies have consistently flagged the rise in:
- Online investment scams
- E-wallet fraud
- Account takeover attacks
- Romance scams
- Cross-border mule operations
- Deepfake-enabled fraud
- Social engineering targeting retirees and gig workers
Fraud not only causes financial loss but also erodes public trust in digital banking and fintech. As Malaysia accelerates toward a cashless society, the need for intelligent, proactive fraud detection has become a national priority.
This is where the evolution of the fraud detection system becomes central to protecting financial integrity.

What Is a Fraud Detection System?
A fraud detection system is a technology platform that identifies, prevents, and responds to fraudulent financial activity. It analyses millions of transactions, user behaviours, and contextual signals to detect anomalies that indicate fraud.
Modern fraud detection systems protect institutions against:
- Identity theft
- Transaction fraud
- Synthetic identities
- First-party fraud
- Friendly fraud
- Card-not-present attacks
- Social engineering scams
- Mule account activity
- False merchant onboarding
In Malaysia’s dynamic financial ecosystem, the fraud detection system acts as a real-time surveillance layer safeguarding both institutions and consumers.
How a Fraud Detection System Works
A powerful fraud detection system operates through a sequence of intelligent steps.
1. Data Collection
The system gathers data from multiple sources including payment platforms, device information, customer profiles, login behaviour, and transaction history.
2. Behavioural Analysis
Models recognise normal behavioural patterns and build a baseline for each user, device, or merchant.
3. Anomaly Detection
Any deviation from expected behaviour triggers deeper analysis. This includes unusual spending, unknown device access, rapid transactions, or location mismatches.
4. Risk Scoring
Each action or transaction receives a risk score based on probability of fraud.
5. Real-Time Decisioning
The system performs instant checks to accept, challenge, or block the activity.
6. Investigation and Feedback Loop
Alerts are routed to investigators who confirm whether a case is fraud. This feedback retrains machine learning models for higher accuracy.
Fraud detection systems are not static rule engines. They are continuously learning frameworks that adapt to new threats with every case reviewed.
Why Legacy Fraud Systems Fall Short
Despite increased digital adoption, many Malaysian financial institutions still use traditional fraud monitoring tools that struggle to keep pace with modern threats.
Here is where these systems fail:
- Static rule sets cannot detect emerging patterns like deepfake impersonation or mule rings.
- Slow investigation workflows allow fraudulent funds to leave the ecosystem before action can be taken.
- Limited visibility across channels results in blind spots between digital banking, cards, and payment rails.
- High false positives disrupt genuine customers and overwhelm analysts.
- Siloed AML and fraud systems prevent institutions from seeing fraud proceeds that transition into money laundering.
Fraud today is dynamic, distributed, and data driven. Systems built more than a decade ago cannot protect a modern, hyperconnected financial environment.
The Rise of AI-Powered Fraud Detection Systems
Artificial intelligence has transformed fraud detection into a predictive science. AI-powered fraud systems bring a level of intelligence and speed that traditional systems cannot match.
1. Machine Learning for Pattern Recognition
Models learn from millions of past transactions to identify subtle fraud behaviour, even if it has never been seen before.
2. Behavioural Biometrics
AI analyses keystroke patterns, time on page, navigation flow, and device characteristics to distinguish legitimate users from attackers.
3. Real-Time Detection
AI systems analyse risk instantly, giving institutions crucial seconds to block or hold suspicious activity.
4. Lower False Positives
AI reduces unnecessary alerts by understanding context, not just rules.
5. Autonomous Detection and Triage
AI systems prioritise high-risk alerts and automate repetitive tasks, freeing investigators to focus on complex threats.
AI-powered systems do not simply detect fraud. They help institutions anticipate it.
Why Malaysia Needs Next-Generation Fraud Detection
Fraud in Malaysia is no longer isolated to simple scams. Criminal networks have become highly organised, using advanced technologies and exploiting digital loopholes.
Malaysia faces increasing risks from:
- QR laundering through DuitNow
- Instant pay-and-transfer fraud
- Cross-border mule farming
- Scams operated from foreign syndicate hubs
- Cryptocurrency-linked laundering
- Fake merchant setups
- Fast layering to offshore accounts
These patterns require solutions that recognise behaviour, understand typologies, and react in real time. This is why modern fraud detection systems integrated with AI are becoming essential for Malaysian risk teams.
Tookitaki’s FinCense: Malaysia’s Most Advanced Fraud Detection System
At the forefront of AI-driven fraud prevention is Tookitaki’s FinCense, an end-to-end platform built to detect and prevent both fraud and money laundering. It is used by leading banks and fintechs across Asia-Pacific and is increasingly recognised as the trust layer to fight financial crime.
FinCense is built on four pillars that make it uniquely suited to Malaysia’s digital economy.
1. Agentic AI for Faster, Smarter Investigations
FinCense uses intelligent autonomous agents that perform tasks such as alert triage, pattern clustering, narrative generation, and risk explanation.
These agents work around the clock, giving compliance teams:
- Faster case resolution
- Higher accuracy
- Better prioritisation
- Clear decision support
This intelligent layer allows teams to handle high volumes of fraud alerts without burning out or missing critical risks.
2. Federated Intelligence Through the AFC Ecosystem
Fraud patterns often emerge in one market before appearing in another. FinCense connects to the Anti-Financial Crime (AFC) Ecosystem, a collaborative intelligence network of institutions across ASEAN.
Through privacy-preserving federated learning, models benefit from:
- Regional typologies
- New scam patterns
- Real-time cross-border trends
- Behavioural signatures of mule activity
This gives Malaysian institutions early visibility into fraud patterns seen in Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.
3. Explainable AI for Trust and Compliance
Regulators expect not just accuracy but clarity. FinCense generates explanations for every flagged event, detailing the data points and logic used in the decision.
This ensures:
- Full transparency
- Audit readiness
- Confidence in automated decisions
- Better regulatory communication
Explainability is essential for AI adoption, and FinCense is designed to meet these expectations.
4. Unified Fraud and AML Detection
Fraud often transitions into money laundering. FinCense unifies fraud detection and AML transaction monitoring into one decisioning platform. This allows teams to:
- Connect fraud events to laundering flows
- Detect mule activity linked to scams
- Analyse both behavioural and transactional trends
- Break criminal networks instead of individual incidents
This unified view creates a powerful defence that legacy siloed systems cannot match.

Real-World Scenario: Detecting Cross-Border Investment Fraud
Consider a popular scam trend. Victims in Malaysia receive calls or WhatsApp messages promising high returns through offshore trading platforms. They deposit funds into mule accounts linked to foreign syndicates.
Here is how FinCense detects and disrupts this:
- The system identifies unusual inbound deposits from unrelated senders.
- Behavioural analysis detects rapid movement of funds between multiple local accounts.
- Federated intelligence matches this behaviour with similar typologies in Singapore and Hong Kong.
- Agentic AI generates a complete case narrative summarising:
- Transaction velocity
- Peer network connections
- Device and login anomalies
- Similar scenarios seen in the region
- The institution blocks the outbound transfer, freezes the account, and prevents losses.
This entire process occurs within minutes, a speed that traditional systems cannot match.
Benefits for Malaysian Financial Institutions
Deploying an AI-powered fraud detection system like FinCense has measurable impact.
- Significant reduction in false positives
- Faster alert resolution times
- Better protection for vulnerable customers
- Higher detection accuracy
- Lower operational costs
- Improved regulator trust
- Better customer experience
Fraud prevention shifts from reactive defence to proactive risk management.
Key Features to Look for in a Modern Fraud Detection System
Financial institutions evaluating fraud systems should prioritise five core capabilities.
1. Intelligence and adaptability
Systems must evolve with new fraud trends and learn continuously.
2. Contextual and behavioural detection
Instead of relying solely on rules, solutions should use behavioural analytics to understand intent.
3. Real-time performance
Fraud moves in seconds. Systems must react instantly.
4. Explainability
Every alert should be transparent and justified for regulatory confidence.
5. Collaborative intelligence
Systems must learn from regional behaviour, not just local data.
FinCense checks all these boxes and provides additional advantages through unified fraud and AML detection.
The Future of Fraud Detection in Malaysia
Malaysia is on a clear path toward a safer digital financial ecosystem. The next phase of fraud detection will be shaped by several emerging trends:
- Open banking data sharing enabling richer identity verification
- Real-time AI models trained on regional intelligence
- Deeper collaboration between banks, fintechs, and regulators
- Human-AI partnerships integrating expertise and computational power
- Unified financial crime platforms merging AML, fraud, and sanctions for complete visibility
Malaysia’s forward-looking regulatory environment positions the country as a leader in intelligent fraud prevention across ASEAN.
Conclusion
Fraud detection is no longer a standalone function. It is the heartbeat of trust in Malaysia’s digital financial future. As criminals innovate faster and exploit new technologies, institutions must adopt tools that can outthink, outpace, and outmanoeuvre sophisticated fraud networks.
Tookitaki’s FinCense stands as the leading fraud detection system built for Malaysia. It blends Agentic AI, federated intelligence, and explainable models to create real-time, transparent, and regionally relevant protection.
By moving from static rules to collaborative intelligence, Malaysia’s financial institutions can stay one step ahead of digital crime and build a safer future for every consumer.

What Is APRA? A Simple Guide to Australia’s Banking Regulator
If you live, work, or bank in Australia, your financial safety is protected by an agency you may not know well: APRA.
Introduction
Most Australians interact with banks every day without ever thinking about the rules and systems that keep the financial sector stable. Behind the scenes, one regulator plays a critical role in ensuring banks are safe, resilient, and well managed: the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, better known as APRA.
APRA oversees the health of the financial system, ensuring that banks, credit unions, insurers, and superannuation funds operate responsibly. While AUSTRAC focuses on preventing money laundering and financial crime, APRA focuses on stability, governance, risk, and long-term protection.
In a fast-changing financial world, understanding APRA is becoming increasingly important for businesses, compliance teams, fintechs, and even everyday consumers.
This simple guide explains what APRA does, who it regulates, and why its work matters.

What Does APRA Stand For?
APRA stands for the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.
The term “prudential regulation” refers to the rules and oversight that ensure financial institutions remain safe, stable, and financially sound. That means APRA’s job is to make sure financial organisations can weather risks, protect customer deposits, and operate sustainably.
Why Was APRA Created?
APRA was formed in 1998 following major reforms to Australia’s financial regulatory system. These reforms recognised the need for a dedicated agency to supervise the financial health of institutions.
APRA’s creation brought together prudential functions from:
- The Reserve Bank of Australia
- The Insurance and Superannuation Commission
The goal was simple: Protect customers and promote a stable financial system.
What Organisations Does APRA Regulate?
APRA supervises institutions that hold and manage Australians’ money. These include:
1. Banks and Authorised Deposit-Taking Institutions (ADIs)
- Major banks
- Regional and community-owned banks
- Credit unions
- Building societies
- Digital banks
2. Insurance Companies
- Life insurers
- General insurers
- Private health insurers
3. Superannuation Funds
- Retail, industry, corporate, and public sector funds
4. Some Non-Bank Financial Institutions
Entities that hold financial risk but are not traditional banks.
In total, APRA oversees more than 600 financial institutions that collectively hold trillions of dollars in assets.
APRA’s Main Responsibilities
While APRA has a wide mandate, its work centres around four major responsibilities:
1. Promoting Financial Stability
APRA ensures banks and insurers are strong enough to survive economic shocks.
This includes monitoring capital levels, liquidity, and risk exposure.
If a bank faces difficulties, APRA steps in early to prevent instability from spreading through the system.
2. Ensuring Sound Risk Management
APRA expects all regulated institutions to have strong systems for managing:
- Credit risk
- Market risk
- Operational risk
- Technology risk
- Outsourcing risk
- Climate risk
- Governance breaches
Banks must prove they can identify, measure, and control risks before they cause harm.
3. Supervising Governance and Accountability
APRA sets expectations for:
- Board responsibilities
- Senior management oversight
- Internal audit frameworks
- Remuneration linked to risk
- Fit and proper evaluations
A strong governance culture is considered essential for long-term stability.
4. Protecting Depositors, Policyholders, and Superannuation Members
Perhaps APRA’s most important mandate is protecting the financial interests of Australians.
If a bank fails, APRA ensures deposits are protected up to the government guarantee amount.
If a super fund is mismanaged, APRA intervenes to safeguard members.
How APRA Supervises Banks
APRA uses a structured approach called supervision by risk.
This allows the regulator to focus resources on institutions that pose the greatest potential impact to the system.
APRA’s supervision toolkit includes:
1. Regular Reporting and Compliance Checks
Banks submit detailed financial, operational, and risk data on a scheduled basis.
2. On-Site Reviews
APRA examiners visit institutions to assess governance, risk culture, and operational controls.
3. Prudential Standards
Strict rules and guidelines covering:
- Capital adequacy (APS 110)
- Liquidity requirements (APS 210)
- Remuneration (CPS 511)
- Operational risk (CPS 230)
- Outsourcing (CPS 231)
- Business continuity (CPS 232)
These standards set the baseline for safe and responsible operations.
4. Stress Testing
APRA conducts industry-wide and institution-specific stress tests to simulate economic downturns or market shocks.
5. Enforcement Action
If a bank breaches expectations, APRA may impose:
- Additional capital requirements
- Remediation programs
- Licence restrictions
- Public warnings
- Management changes
While APRA rarely uses penalties, it expects rapid action when weaknesses are identified.

APRA vs AUSTRAC: What’s the Difference?
APRA and AUSTRAC are often mentioned together, but they enforce very different areas of compliance.
APRA
- Focuses on financial safety and stability
- Ensures institutions can survive economic or operational risk
- Regulates governance, culture, capital, liquidity, and risk management
AUSTRAC
- Focuses on preventing financial crime
- Enforces AML/CTF laws
- Oversees monitoring, reporting, and customer verification
Together, they form a complementary regulatory framework.
Why APRA Matters for Businesses and Consumers
APRA’s work affects everyone in Australia.
Here’s how:
For Consumers
- Ensures deposits and savings are safe
- Protects insurance claims
- Holds super funds accountable
- Prevents sudden collapses that disrupt the economy
For Businesses
- Ensures stable banking and payment systems
- Reduces the likelihood of credit shocks
- Promotes trust in financial institutions
For Banks and Financial Institutions
- Drives stronger risk management practices
- Requires investments in data, technology, and training
- Influences board-level decision-making
- Sets expectations for responsible innovation
A strong APRA means a stable financial future for Australia.
APRA in Today’s Banking Landscape
Australia’s financial ecosystem is undergoing major change:
- Digital onboarding
- Instant payments
- Artificial intelligence
- Cloud migration
- Open banking
- Increasing cyber threats
APRA’s role has expanded to include careful oversight of technology, operational resilience, and data integrity.
Its most influential modern standards include:
CPS 230 — Operational Risk Management
One of the most significant reforms in the last decade.
CPS 230 modernises expectations around:
- Critical operations
- Third-party risk
- Service resilience
- Technology oversight
- Incident management
CPS 234 — Information Security
Requires institutions to:
- Maintain strong cyber defences
- Protect sensitive information
- Respond quickly to incidents
- Test security controls regularly
CPS 511 — Remuneration
Aligns executive and employee incentives with non-financial outcomes such as ethics, conduct, and risk behaviour.
Why APRA Standards Matter for AML Teams
While APRA does not directly enforce AML/CTF laws, its standards strongly influence AML programs.
1. Strong Governance Expectations
AML decisions must align with risk appetite and board oversight.
2. Data Integrity Requirements
Accurate AML monitoring depends on clean, governed, high-quality data.
3. Operational Resilience
AML systems must remain stable even in the face of outages, disruptions, or cyber events.
4. Outsourcing Accountability
Banks must demonstrate they understand and control risks related to third-party AML technology providers.
5. Model and Algorithm Accountability
APRA expects explainability and oversight of any automated system used in compliance.
This is where Tookitaki’s emphasis on transparency, explainability, and federated learning aligns strongly with APRA principles.
Real-World Example: Regional Australia Bank
Regional Australia Bank, a community-owned financial institution, shows how APRA’s expectations translate into practical action.
By focusing on:
- Transparent systems
- Strong data practices
- Responsible innovation
- Clear governance
Regional Australia Bank demonstrates that even mid-sized institutions can meet APRA’s standards while modernising with AI.
This balance between technology and accountability reflects the future direction of Australian compliance.
The Future of APRA’s Role in Australian Banking
APRA is evolving alongside the financial system. Here are key areas where its influence is growing:
1. Technology and AI Governance
APRA is now more interested in how models operate, how decisions are made, and how risks are controlled.
2. Operational Resilience
Expectations around continuity, redundancy, and incident response will continue to rise.
3. Third-Party Risk Oversight
Banks must prove they manage outsourced technology with the same rigour as internal systems.
4. Cybersecurity and Data Governance
Data controls and security frameworks will become even more significant.
5. Climate and Sustainability Risk
APRA is exploring how climate events could affect financial stability.
These themes reinforce that prudential regulation is broadening, and institutions must be ready to adapt.
Conclusion
APRA plays a foundational role in shaping the strength, safety, and stability of Australia’s financial system. While consumers may rarely see its work, APRA’s influence touches every bank account, insurance claim, and superannuation balance.
For financial institutions, understanding APRA is not just a regulatory requirement. It is essential for sustainable operations and long-term trust.
As banks modernise their systems, adopt AI, and prepare for instant payments, APRA’s guidance offers a clear framework for responsible innovation.
Institutions like Regional Australia Bank show that meeting APRA expectations and modernising with advanced technology can go hand in hand.
Pro tip: In Australia, a strong AML and fraud strategy begins with a strong prudential foundation. APRA sets the rules that keep that foundation intact.

Connected Intelligence: How Modern AML System Software Is Redefining Compliance for a Real-Time World
The world’s fastest payments demand the world’s smartest defences — and that begins with a connected AML system built for intelligence, not just compliance.
Introduction
In the Philippines and across Southeast Asia, financial institutions are operating in a new reality. Digital wallets move money in seconds. Cross-border payments flow at massive scale. Fintechs onboard thousands of new users per day. Fraud and money laundering have become more coordinated, more invisible, and more intertwined with legitimate activity.
This transformation has put enormous pressure on compliance teams.
The legacy model — where screening, monitoring, and risk assessment sit in isolated tools — simply cannot keep pace with the velocity of today’s financial crime. Compliance can no longer rely on siloed systems or rules built for slower times.
What institutions need now is AML system software: an integrated platform that unifies every layer of financial crime prevention into one intelligent ecosystem. A system that sees the whole picture, not fragments of it. A system that learns, explains, collaborates, and adapts.
This is where next-generation AML platforms like Tookitaki’s FinCense are rewriting the rulebook.

What Is AML System Software?
Unlike standalone AML tools that perform single tasks — such as screening or monitoring — AML system software brings together every major component of compliance into one cohesive platform.
At its core, it acts as the central nervous system of a financial institution’s defence strategy.
✔️ A modern AML system typically includes:
- Customer and entity screening
- Transaction monitoring
- Customer risk scoring
- Case management
- Investigative workflows
- Reporting and audit trails
- AI-driven detection models
- Integration with external intelligence sources
Each of these modules communicates with the others through a unified data layer.
The result: A system that understands context, connects patterns, and provides a consistent source of truth for compliance decisions.
✔️ Why this matters in a real-time banking environment
With instant payments now the norm in the Philippines, detection can no longer wait for batch processes. AML systems must operate with:
- Low latency
- High scalability
- Continuous recalibration
- Cross-channel visibility
Without a unified system, red flags go unnoticed, investigations take longer, and regulatory risk increases.
Why Legacy AML Systems Are Failing
Most legacy AML architectures — especially those used by older banks — were built 10 to 15 years ago. While reliable at the time, they cannot meet today’s demands.
1. Fragmented modules
Screening is handled in one tool. Monitoring is handled in another. Case management sits somewhere else.
These silos prevent the system from understanding the relationships between activities.
2. Excessive false positives
Static rules trigger alerts based on outdated thresholds, overwhelming analysts with noise and increasing operational costs.
3. Outdated analytical models
Legacy engines cannot ingest new data sources such as:
- Mobile wallet activity
- Crypto exchange behaviour
- Cross-platform digital footprints
4. Manual investigations and reporting
Analysts often copy-paste data between systems, losing context and increasing risk of human error.
5. Poor explainability
Traditional models cannot justify decisions — a critical weakness in a world where regulators require full transparency.
6. Limited scalability
As transaction volumes surge (especially in fintechs and digital banks), old systems buckle under load.
The outcome? A compliance function that’s reactive, inefficient, and vulnerable.
Core Capabilities of Next-Gen AML System Software
Modern AML systems aren’t just upgraded tools — they are intelligent ecosystems designed for speed, accuracy, and interpretability.
1. Unified Intelligence Hub
The platform aggregates data from:
- KYC
- Transactions
- Screening events
- Customer behaviour
- External watchlists
- Third-party intelligence
This eliminates blind spots and enables end-to-end risk visibility.
2. AI-Driven Detection
Machine learning models adapt to emerging patterns — identifying:
- Layering behaviours
- Round-tripping
- Smurfing
- Synthetic identity patterns
- Crypto-to-fiat movement
- Mule account networks
Instead of relying solely on rules, the system learns from real behaviour.
3. Agentic AI Copilot
The introduction of Agentic AI has transformed AML investigations.
Unlike traditional AI, Agentic AI can reason, summarise, and proactively assist investigators.
Tookitaki’s FinMate is a prime example:
- Investigators can ask questions in plain language
- The system generates investigation summaries
- It highlights relationships and risk factors
- It surfaces anomalies and inconsistencies
- It supports SAR/STR preparation
This marks a seismic leap in compliance productivity.
4. Federated Learning
A breakthrough innovation pioneered by Tookitaki.
Federated learning enables multiple institutions to strengthen models without sharing confidential data.
This means a bank in the Philippines can benefit from patterns observed in:
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Indonesia
- Rest of the World
All while keeping customer data secure.
5. Explainable AI
Modern AML systems embed transparency at every step:
- Why was an alert generated?
- Which behaviours contributed to risk?
- Which model features influenced the score?
- How does this compare to peer behaviour?
Explainability builds regulator trust and eliminates black-box decision-making.

Tookitaki FinCense — The Intelligent AML System
FinCense is Tookitaki’s end-to-end AML system software designed to unify monitoring, screening, scoring, and investigation into one adaptive platform.
Modular yet integrated architecture
FinCense brings together:
- FRAML Platform
- Smart Screening
- Onboarding Risk Suite
- Customer Risk Scoring
Every component feeds into the same intelligence backbone — ensuring contextual, consistent outcomes.
Designed for compliance teams, not just data teams
FinCense provides:
- Intuitive dashboards
- Natural-language insights
- Behaviour-based analytics
- Risk heatmaps
- Investigator-friendly interfaces
Built on modern cloud-native architecture
With support for:
- Kubernetes (auto-scaling)
- High-volume stream processing
- Real-time alerting
- Flexible deployment (cloud, on-prem, hybrid)
FinCense supports both traditional banks and high-growth digital fintechs with minimal infrastructure strain.
Agentic AI and FinMate — The Heart of Modern Investigations
Traditional case management is slow, repetitive, and prone to human error.
FinMate — Tookitaki’s Agentic AI copilot — changes that.
FinMate helps investigators by:
- Highlighting suspicious behaviour patterns
- Analysing multi-account linkages
- Drafting case summaries
- Recommending disposition actions
- Explaining model decisions
- Answering natural-language queries
- Surfacing hidden risks analysts may overlook
Example
An investigator can ask:
“Show all connected accounts with unusual transactions in the last 60 days.”
FinMate instantly:
- Analyses graph relationships
- Summarises behavioural anomalies
- Highlights risk factors
- Visualises linkages
This accelerates investigation speed, improves accuracy, and strengthens regulatory confidence.
Case in Focus: How a Philippine Bank Modernised Its AML System
A leading bank and digital wallet provider in the Philippines partnered with Tookitaki to replace its legacy FICO-based AML system with FinCense.
The transformation was dramatic.
The Results
- >90% reduction in false positives
- >95% alert accuracy
- 10× faster scenario deployment
- 75% reduction in alert volume
- Screening over 40 million customers
- Processing 1 billion+ transactions
What made the difference?
- Integrated architecture reducing fragmentation
- Adaptive AI models fine-tuning detection logic
- FinMate accelerating investigation turnaround
- Federated intelligence shaping detection scenarios
- Strong model governance improving regulator trust
This deployment has since become a benchmark for large-scale AML transformation in the region.
The Role of the AFC Ecosystem: Shared Defence for a Shared Problem
Financial crime doesn’t operate within borders — and neither should detection.
The Anti-Financial Crime (AFC) Ecosystem, powered by Tookitaki, serves as a collaborative platform for sharing:
- Red flags
- Typologies
- Scenarios
- Trend analyses
- Federated Insight Cards
Why this matters
- Financial institutions gain early visibility into emerging risks.
- Philippine banks benefit from scenarios first seen abroad.
- Typology coverage remains updated without manual research.
- Models adapt faster using federated learning signals.
The AFC Ecosystem turns AML from a siloed function into a collaborative advantage.
Why Integration Matters in Modern AML Systems
As fraud, compliance, cybersecurity, and risk converge, AML cannot operate in isolation.
Integrated systems enable:
- Cross-channel behaviour detection
- Unified customer risk profiles
- Faster investigations
- Consistent controls across business units
- Lower operational overhead
- Better alignment with enterprise governance
With Tookitaki’s cloud-native and Kubernetes-based architecture, FinCense allows institutions to scale while maintaining high performance and resilience.
The Future of AML System Software
The next wave of AML systems will be defined by:
1. Predictive intelligence
Systems that forecast crime before it occurs.
2. Real-time ecosystem collaboration
Shared typologies across regulators, banks, and fintechs.
3. Embedded explainability
Full transparency built directly into model logic.
4. Integrated AML–fraud ecosystems
Unified platforms covering fraud, money laundering, sanctions, and risk.
5. Agentic AI as an industry standard
AI copilots becoming central to investigations and reporting.
Tookitaki’s Trust Layer vision — combining intelligence, transparency, and collaboration — is aligned directly with this future.
Conclusion
The era of fragmented AML tools is ending.
The future belongs to institutions that embrace connected intelligence — unified systems that learn, explain, and collaborate.
Modern AML system software like Tookitaki’s FinCense is more than a compliance solution. It is the backbone of a resilient, fast, and trusted financial ecosystem.
It empowers banks and fintechs to:
- Detect risk earlier
- Investigate faster
- Collaborate smarter
- Satisfy regulators with confidence
- And build trust with every transaction
The world is moving toward real-time finance — and the only way forward is with real-time, intelligent AML systems guiding the way.

Fraud Detection System: How Malaysia Can Stay One Step Ahead of Digital Crime
As Malaysia’s financial system goes digital, fraud detection systems are becoming the silent guardians of consumer trust.
Malaysia’s Expanding Fraud Challenge
Malaysia is experiencing a digital transformation unlike anything seen before. QR payments, e-wallets, instant transfers, digital banks, and cross-border digital commerce have rapidly become part of everyday life.
Innovation has brought convenience, but it has also enabled a wave of sophisticated financial fraud. Criminal networks are using faster payment channels, deep social engineering, and large mule networks to steal and move funds before victims or institutions can react.
The Royal Malaysia Police, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and cybersecurity agencies have consistently flagged the rise in:
- Online investment scams
- E-wallet fraud
- Account takeover attacks
- Romance scams
- Cross-border mule operations
- Deepfake-enabled fraud
- Social engineering targeting retirees and gig workers
Fraud not only causes financial loss but also erodes public trust in digital banking and fintech. As Malaysia accelerates toward a cashless society, the need for intelligent, proactive fraud detection has become a national priority.
This is where the evolution of the fraud detection system becomes central to protecting financial integrity.

What Is a Fraud Detection System?
A fraud detection system is a technology platform that identifies, prevents, and responds to fraudulent financial activity. It analyses millions of transactions, user behaviours, and contextual signals to detect anomalies that indicate fraud.
Modern fraud detection systems protect institutions against:
- Identity theft
- Transaction fraud
- Synthetic identities
- First-party fraud
- Friendly fraud
- Card-not-present attacks
- Social engineering scams
- Mule account activity
- False merchant onboarding
In Malaysia’s dynamic financial ecosystem, the fraud detection system acts as a real-time surveillance layer safeguarding both institutions and consumers.
How a Fraud Detection System Works
A powerful fraud detection system operates through a sequence of intelligent steps.
1. Data Collection
The system gathers data from multiple sources including payment platforms, device information, customer profiles, login behaviour, and transaction history.
2. Behavioural Analysis
Models recognise normal behavioural patterns and build a baseline for each user, device, or merchant.
3. Anomaly Detection
Any deviation from expected behaviour triggers deeper analysis. This includes unusual spending, unknown device access, rapid transactions, or location mismatches.
4. Risk Scoring
Each action or transaction receives a risk score based on probability of fraud.
5. Real-Time Decisioning
The system performs instant checks to accept, challenge, or block the activity.
6. Investigation and Feedback Loop
Alerts are routed to investigators who confirm whether a case is fraud. This feedback retrains machine learning models for higher accuracy.
Fraud detection systems are not static rule engines. They are continuously learning frameworks that adapt to new threats with every case reviewed.
Why Legacy Fraud Systems Fall Short
Despite increased digital adoption, many Malaysian financial institutions still use traditional fraud monitoring tools that struggle to keep pace with modern threats.
Here is where these systems fail:
- Static rule sets cannot detect emerging patterns like deepfake impersonation or mule rings.
- Slow investigation workflows allow fraudulent funds to leave the ecosystem before action can be taken.
- Limited visibility across channels results in blind spots between digital banking, cards, and payment rails.
- High false positives disrupt genuine customers and overwhelm analysts.
- Siloed AML and fraud systems prevent institutions from seeing fraud proceeds that transition into money laundering.
Fraud today is dynamic, distributed, and data driven. Systems built more than a decade ago cannot protect a modern, hyperconnected financial environment.
The Rise of AI-Powered Fraud Detection Systems
Artificial intelligence has transformed fraud detection into a predictive science. AI-powered fraud systems bring a level of intelligence and speed that traditional systems cannot match.
1. Machine Learning for Pattern Recognition
Models learn from millions of past transactions to identify subtle fraud behaviour, even if it has never been seen before.
2. Behavioural Biometrics
AI analyses keystroke patterns, time on page, navigation flow, and device characteristics to distinguish legitimate users from attackers.
3. Real-Time Detection
AI systems analyse risk instantly, giving institutions crucial seconds to block or hold suspicious activity.
4. Lower False Positives
AI reduces unnecessary alerts by understanding context, not just rules.
5. Autonomous Detection and Triage
AI systems prioritise high-risk alerts and automate repetitive tasks, freeing investigators to focus on complex threats.
AI-powered systems do not simply detect fraud. They help institutions anticipate it.
Why Malaysia Needs Next-Generation Fraud Detection
Fraud in Malaysia is no longer isolated to simple scams. Criminal networks have become highly organised, using advanced technologies and exploiting digital loopholes.
Malaysia faces increasing risks from:
- QR laundering through DuitNow
- Instant pay-and-transfer fraud
- Cross-border mule farming
- Scams operated from foreign syndicate hubs
- Cryptocurrency-linked laundering
- Fake merchant setups
- Fast layering to offshore accounts
These patterns require solutions that recognise behaviour, understand typologies, and react in real time. This is why modern fraud detection systems integrated with AI are becoming essential for Malaysian risk teams.
Tookitaki’s FinCense: Malaysia’s Most Advanced Fraud Detection System
At the forefront of AI-driven fraud prevention is Tookitaki’s FinCense, an end-to-end platform built to detect and prevent both fraud and money laundering. It is used by leading banks and fintechs across Asia-Pacific and is increasingly recognised as the trust layer to fight financial crime.
FinCense is built on four pillars that make it uniquely suited to Malaysia’s digital economy.
1. Agentic AI for Faster, Smarter Investigations
FinCense uses intelligent autonomous agents that perform tasks such as alert triage, pattern clustering, narrative generation, and risk explanation.
These agents work around the clock, giving compliance teams:
- Faster case resolution
- Higher accuracy
- Better prioritisation
- Clear decision support
This intelligent layer allows teams to handle high volumes of fraud alerts without burning out or missing critical risks.
2. Federated Intelligence Through the AFC Ecosystem
Fraud patterns often emerge in one market before appearing in another. FinCense connects to the Anti-Financial Crime (AFC) Ecosystem, a collaborative intelligence network of institutions across ASEAN.
Through privacy-preserving federated learning, models benefit from:
- Regional typologies
- New scam patterns
- Real-time cross-border trends
- Behavioural signatures of mule activity
This gives Malaysian institutions early visibility into fraud patterns seen in Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.
3. Explainable AI for Trust and Compliance
Regulators expect not just accuracy but clarity. FinCense generates explanations for every flagged event, detailing the data points and logic used in the decision.
This ensures:
- Full transparency
- Audit readiness
- Confidence in automated decisions
- Better regulatory communication
Explainability is essential for AI adoption, and FinCense is designed to meet these expectations.
4. Unified Fraud and AML Detection
Fraud often transitions into money laundering. FinCense unifies fraud detection and AML transaction monitoring into one decisioning platform. This allows teams to:
- Connect fraud events to laundering flows
- Detect mule activity linked to scams
- Analyse both behavioural and transactional trends
- Break criminal networks instead of individual incidents
This unified view creates a powerful defence that legacy siloed systems cannot match.

Real-World Scenario: Detecting Cross-Border Investment Fraud
Consider a popular scam trend. Victims in Malaysia receive calls or WhatsApp messages promising high returns through offshore trading platforms. They deposit funds into mule accounts linked to foreign syndicates.
Here is how FinCense detects and disrupts this:
- The system identifies unusual inbound deposits from unrelated senders.
- Behavioural analysis detects rapid movement of funds between multiple local accounts.
- Federated intelligence matches this behaviour with similar typologies in Singapore and Hong Kong.
- Agentic AI generates a complete case narrative summarising:
- Transaction velocity
- Peer network connections
- Device and login anomalies
- Similar scenarios seen in the region
- The institution blocks the outbound transfer, freezes the account, and prevents losses.
This entire process occurs within minutes, a speed that traditional systems cannot match.
Benefits for Malaysian Financial Institutions
Deploying an AI-powered fraud detection system like FinCense has measurable impact.
- Significant reduction in false positives
- Faster alert resolution times
- Better protection for vulnerable customers
- Higher detection accuracy
- Lower operational costs
- Improved regulator trust
- Better customer experience
Fraud prevention shifts from reactive defence to proactive risk management.
Key Features to Look for in a Modern Fraud Detection System
Financial institutions evaluating fraud systems should prioritise five core capabilities.
1. Intelligence and adaptability
Systems must evolve with new fraud trends and learn continuously.
2. Contextual and behavioural detection
Instead of relying solely on rules, solutions should use behavioural analytics to understand intent.
3. Real-time performance
Fraud moves in seconds. Systems must react instantly.
4. Explainability
Every alert should be transparent and justified for regulatory confidence.
5. Collaborative intelligence
Systems must learn from regional behaviour, not just local data.
FinCense checks all these boxes and provides additional advantages through unified fraud and AML detection.
The Future of Fraud Detection in Malaysia
Malaysia is on a clear path toward a safer digital financial ecosystem. The next phase of fraud detection will be shaped by several emerging trends:
- Open banking data sharing enabling richer identity verification
- Real-time AI models trained on regional intelligence
- Deeper collaboration between banks, fintechs, and regulators
- Human-AI partnerships integrating expertise and computational power
- Unified financial crime platforms merging AML, fraud, and sanctions for complete visibility
Malaysia’s forward-looking regulatory environment positions the country as a leader in intelligent fraud prevention across ASEAN.
Conclusion
Fraud detection is no longer a standalone function. It is the heartbeat of trust in Malaysia’s digital financial future. As criminals innovate faster and exploit new technologies, institutions must adopt tools that can outthink, outpace, and outmanoeuvre sophisticated fraud networks.
Tookitaki’s FinCense stands as the leading fraud detection system built for Malaysia. It blends Agentic AI, federated intelligence, and explainable models to create real-time, transparent, and regionally relevant protection.
By moving from static rules to collaborative intelligence, Malaysia’s financial institutions can stay one step ahead of digital crime and build a safer future for every consumer.

What Is APRA? A Simple Guide to Australia’s Banking Regulator
If you live, work, or bank in Australia, your financial safety is protected by an agency you may not know well: APRA.
Introduction
Most Australians interact with banks every day without ever thinking about the rules and systems that keep the financial sector stable. Behind the scenes, one regulator plays a critical role in ensuring banks are safe, resilient, and well managed: the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, better known as APRA.
APRA oversees the health of the financial system, ensuring that banks, credit unions, insurers, and superannuation funds operate responsibly. While AUSTRAC focuses on preventing money laundering and financial crime, APRA focuses on stability, governance, risk, and long-term protection.
In a fast-changing financial world, understanding APRA is becoming increasingly important for businesses, compliance teams, fintechs, and even everyday consumers.
This simple guide explains what APRA does, who it regulates, and why its work matters.

What Does APRA Stand For?
APRA stands for the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.
The term “prudential regulation” refers to the rules and oversight that ensure financial institutions remain safe, stable, and financially sound. That means APRA’s job is to make sure financial organisations can weather risks, protect customer deposits, and operate sustainably.
Why Was APRA Created?
APRA was formed in 1998 following major reforms to Australia’s financial regulatory system. These reforms recognised the need for a dedicated agency to supervise the financial health of institutions.
APRA’s creation brought together prudential functions from:
- The Reserve Bank of Australia
- The Insurance and Superannuation Commission
The goal was simple: Protect customers and promote a stable financial system.
What Organisations Does APRA Regulate?
APRA supervises institutions that hold and manage Australians’ money. These include:
1. Banks and Authorised Deposit-Taking Institutions (ADIs)
- Major banks
- Regional and community-owned banks
- Credit unions
- Building societies
- Digital banks
2. Insurance Companies
- Life insurers
- General insurers
- Private health insurers
3. Superannuation Funds
- Retail, industry, corporate, and public sector funds
4. Some Non-Bank Financial Institutions
Entities that hold financial risk but are not traditional banks.
In total, APRA oversees more than 600 financial institutions that collectively hold trillions of dollars in assets.
APRA’s Main Responsibilities
While APRA has a wide mandate, its work centres around four major responsibilities:
1. Promoting Financial Stability
APRA ensures banks and insurers are strong enough to survive economic shocks.
This includes monitoring capital levels, liquidity, and risk exposure.
If a bank faces difficulties, APRA steps in early to prevent instability from spreading through the system.
2. Ensuring Sound Risk Management
APRA expects all regulated institutions to have strong systems for managing:
- Credit risk
- Market risk
- Operational risk
- Technology risk
- Outsourcing risk
- Climate risk
- Governance breaches
Banks must prove they can identify, measure, and control risks before they cause harm.
3. Supervising Governance and Accountability
APRA sets expectations for:
- Board responsibilities
- Senior management oversight
- Internal audit frameworks
- Remuneration linked to risk
- Fit and proper evaluations
A strong governance culture is considered essential for long-term stability.
4. Protecting Depositors, Policyholders, and Superannuation Members
Perhaps APRA’s most important mandate is protecting the financial interests of Australians.
If a bank fails, APRA ensures deposits are protected up to the government guarantee amount.
If a super fund is mismanaged, APRA intervenes to safeguard members.
How APRA Supervises Banks
APRA uses a structured approach called supervision by risk.
This allows the regulator to focus resources on institutions that pose the greatest potential impact to the system.
APRA’s supervision toolkit includes:
1. Regular Reporting and Compliance Checks
Banks submit detailed financial, operational, and risk data on a scheduled basis.
2. On-Site Reviews
APRA examiners visit institutions to assess governance, risk culture, and operational controls.
3. Prudential Standards
Strict rules and guidelines covering:
- Capital adequacy (APS 110)
- Liquidity requirements (APS 210)
- Remuneration (CPS 511)
- Operational risk (CPS 230)
- Outsourcing (CPS 231)
- Business continuity (CPS 232)
These standards set the baseline for safe and responsible operations.
4. Stress Testing
APRA conducts industry-wide and institution-specific stress tests to simulate economic downturns or market shocks.
5. Enforcement Action
If a bank breaches expectations, APRA may impose:
- Additional capital requirements
- Remediation programs
- Licence restrictions
- Public warnings
- Management changes
While APRA rarely uses penalties, it expects rapid action when weaknesses are identified.

APRA vs AUSTRAC: What’s the Difference?
APRA and AUSTRAC are often mentioned together, but they enforce very different areas of compliance.
APRA
- Focuses on financial safety and stability
- Ensures institutions can survive economic or operational risk
- Regulates governance, culture, capital, liquidity, and risk management
AUSTRAC
- Focuses on preventing financial crime
- Enforces AML/CTF laws
- Oversees monitoring, reporting, and customer verification
Together, they form a complementary regulatory framework.
Why APRA Matters for Businesses and Consumers
APRA’s work affects everyone in Australia.
Here’s how:
For Consumers
- Ensures deposits and savings are safe
- Protects insurance claims
- Holds super funds accountable
- Prevents sudden collapses that disrupt the economy
For Businesses
- Ensures stable banking and payment systems
- Reduces the likelihood of credit shocks
- Promotes trust in financial institutions
For Banks and Financial Institutions
- Drives stronger risk management practices
- Requires investments in data, technology, and training
- Influences board-level decision-making
- Sets expectations for responsible innovation
A strong APRA means a stable financial future for Australia.
APRA in Today’s Banking Landscape
Australia’s financial ecosystem is undergoing major change:
- Digital onboarding
- Instant payments
- Artificial intelligence
- Cloud migration
- Open banking
- Increasing cyber threats
APRA’s role has expanded to include careful oversight of technology, operational resilience, and data integrity.
Its most influential modern standards include:
CPS 230 — Operational Risk Management
One of the most significant reforms in the last decade.
CPS 230 modernises expectations around:
- Critical operations
- Third-party risk
- Service resilience
- Technology oversight
- Incident management
CPS 234 — Information Security
Requires institutions to:
- Maintain strong cyber defences
- Protect sensitive information
- Respond quickly to incidents
- Test security controls regularly
CPS 511 — Remuneration
Aligns executive and employee incentives with non-financial outcomes such as ethics, conduct, and risk behaviour.
Why APRA Standards Matter for AML Teams
While APRA does not directly enforce AML/CTF laws, its standards strongly influence AML programs.
1. Strong Governance Expectations
AML decisions must align with risk appetite and board oversight.
2. Data Integrity Requirements
Accurate AML monitoring depends on clean, governed, high-quality data.
3. Operational Resilience
AML systems must remain stable even in the face of outages, disruptions, or cyber events.
4. Outsourcing Accountability
Banks must demonstrate they understand and control risks related to third-party AML technology providers.
5. Model and Algorithm Accountability
APRA expects explainability and oversight of any automated system used in compliance.
This is where Tookitaki’s emphasis on transparency, explainability, and federated learning aligns strongly with APRA principles.
Real-World Example: Regional Australia Bank
Regional Australia Bank, a community-owned financial institution, shows how APRA’s expectations translate into practical action.
By focusing on:
- Transparent systems
- Strong data practices
- Responsible innovation
- Clear governance
Regional Australia Bank demonstrates that even mid-sized institutions can meet APRA’s standards while modernising with AI.
This balance between technology and accountability reflects the future direction of Australian compliance.
The Future of APRA’s Role in Australian Banking
APRA is evolving alongside the financial system. Here are key areas where its influence is growing:
1. Technology and AI Governance
APRA is now more interested in how models operate, how decisions are made, and how risks are controlled.
2. Operational Resilience
Expectations around continuity, redundancy, and incident response will continue to rise.
3. Third-Party Risk Oversight
Banks must prove they manage outsourced technology with the same rigour as internal systems.
4. Cybersecurity and Data Governance
Data controls and security frameworks will become even more significant.
5. Climate and Sustainability Risk
APRA is exploring how climate events could affect financial stability.
These themes reinforce that prudential regulation is broadening, and institutions must be ready to adapt.
Conclusion
APRA plays a foundational role in shaping the strength, safety, and stability of Australia’s financial system. While consumers may rarely see its work, APRA’s influence touches every bank account, insurance claim, and superannuation balance.
For financial institutions, understanding APRA is not just a regulatory requirement. It is essential for sustainable operations and long-term trust.
As banks modernise their systems, adopt AI, and prepare for instant payments, APRA’s guidance offers a clear framework for responsible innovation.
Institutions like Regional Australia Bank show that meeting APRA expectations and modernising with advanced technology can go hand in hand.
Pro tip: In Australia, a strong AML and fraud strategy begins with a strong prudential foundation. APRA sets the rules that keep that foundation intact.

Connected Intelligence: How Modern AML System Software Is Redefining Compliance for a Real-Time World
The world’s fastest payments demand the world’s smartest defences — and that begins with a connected AML system built for intelligence, not just compliance.
Introduction
In the Philippines and across Southeast Asia, financial institutions are operating in a new reality. Digital wallets move money in seconds. Cross-border payments flow at massive scale. Fintechs onboard thousands of new users per day. Fraud and money laundering have become more coordinated, more invisible, and more intertwined with legitimate activity.
This transformation has put enormous pressure on compliance teams.
The legacy model — where screening, monitoring, and risk assessment sit in isolated tools — simply cannot keep pace with the velocity of today’s financial crime. Compliance can no longer rely on siloed systems or rules built for slower times.
What institutions need now is AML system software: an integrated platform that unifies every layer of financial crime prevention into one intelligent ecosystem. A system that sees the whole picture, not fragments of it. A system that learns, explains, collaborates, and adapts.
This is where next-generation AML platforms like Tookitaki’s FinCense are rewriting the rulebook.

What Is AML System Software?
Unlike standalone AML tools that perform single tasks — such as screening or monitoring — AML system software brings together every major component of compliance into one cohesive platform.
At its core, it acts as the central nervous system of a financial institution’s defence strategy.
✔️ A modern AML system typically includes:
- Customer and entity screening
- Transaction monitoring
- Customer risk scoring
- Case management
- Investigative workflows
- Reporting and audit trails
- AI-driven detection models
- Integration with external intelligence sources
Each of these modules communicates with the others through a unified data layer.
The result: A system that understands context, connects patterns, and provides a consistent source of truth for compliance decisions.
✔️ Why this matters in a real-time banking environment
With instant payments now the norm in the Philippines, detection can no longer wait for batch processes. AML systems must operate with:
- Low latency
- High scalability
- Continuous recalibration
- Cross-channel visibility
Without a unified system, red flags go unnoticed, investigations take longer, and regulatory risk increases.
Why Legacy AML Systems Are Failing
Most legacy AML architectures — especially those used by older banks — were built 10 to 15 years ago. While reliable at the time, they cannot meet today’s demands.
1. Fragmented modules
Screening is handled in one tool. Monitoring is handled in another. Case management sits somewhere else.
These silos prevent the system from understanding the relationships between activities.
2. Excessive false positives
Static rules trigger alerts based on outdated thresholds, overwhelming analysts with noise and increasing operational costs.
3. Outdated analytical models
Legacy engines cannot ingest new data sources such as:
- Mobile wallet activity
- Crypto exchange behaviour
- Cross-platform digital footprints
4. Manual investigations and reporting
Analysts often copy-paste data between systems, losing context and increasing risk of human error.
5. Poor explainability
Traditional models cannot justify decisions — a critical weakness in a world where regulators require full transparency.
6. Limited scalability
As transaction volumes surge (especially in fintechs and digital banks), old systems buckle under load.
The outcome? A compliance function that’s reactive, inefficient, and vulnerable.
Core Capabilities of Next-Gen AML System Software
Modern AML systems aren’t just upgraded tools — they are intelligent ecosystems designed for speed, accuracy, and interpretability.
1. Unified Intelligence Hub
The platform aggregates data from:
- KYC
- Transactions
- Screening events
- Customer behaviour
- External watchlists
- Third-party intelligence
This eliminates blind spots and enables end-to-end risk visibility.
2. AI-Driven Detection
Machine learning models adapt to emerging patterns — identifying:
- Layering behaviours
- Round-tripping
- Smurfing
- Synthetic identity patterns
- Crypto-to-fiat movement
- Mule account networks
Instead of relying solely on rules, the system learns from real behaviour.
3. Agentic AI Copilot
The introduction of Agentic AI has transformed AML investigations.
Unlike traditional AI, Agentic AI can reason, summarise, and proactively assist investigators.
Tookitaki’s FinMate is a prime example:
- Investigators can ask questions in plain language
- The system generates investigation summaries
- It highlights relationships and risk factors
- It surfaces anomalies and inconsistencies
- It supports SAR/STR preparation
This marks a seismic leap in compliance productivity.
4. Federated Learning
A breakthrough innovation pioneered by Tookitaki.
Federated learning enables multiple institutions to strengthen models without sharing confidential data.
This means a bank in the Philippines can benefit from patterns observed in:
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Indonesia
- Rest of the World
All while keeping customer data secure.
5. Explainable AI
Modern AML systems embed transparency at every step:
- Why was an alert generated?
- Which behaviours contributed to risk?
- Which model features influenced the score?
- How does this compare to peer behaviour?
Explainability builds regulator trust and eliminates black-box decision-making.

Tookitaki FinCense — The Intelligent AML System
FinCense is Tookitaki’s end-to-end AML system software designed to unify monitoring, screening, scoring, and investigation into one adaptive platform.
Modular yet integrated architecture
FinCense brings together:
- FRAML Platform
- Smart Screening
- Onboarding Risk Suite
- Customer Risk Scoring
Every component feeds into the same intelligence backbone — ensuring contextual, consistent outcomes.
Designed for compliance teams, not just data teams
FinCense provides:
- Intuitive dashboards
- Natural-language insights
- Behaviour-based analytics
- Risk heatmaps
- Investigator-friendly interfaces
Built on modern cloud-native architecture
With support for:
- Kubernetes (auto-scaling)
- High-volume stream processing
- Real-time alerting
- Flexible deployment (cloud, on-prem, hybrid)
FinCense supports both traditional banks and high-growth digital fintechs with minimal infrastructure strain.
Agentic AI and FinMate — The Heart of Modern Investigations
Traditional case management is slow, repetitive, and prone to human error.
FinMate — Tookitaki’s Agentic AI copilot — changes that.
FinMate helps investigators by:
- Highlighting suspicious behaviour patterns
- Analysing multi-account linkages
- Drafting case summaries
- Recommending disposition actions
- Explaining model decisions
- Answering natural-language queries
- Surfacing hidden risks analysts may overlook
Example
An investigator can ask:
“Show all connected accounts with unusual transactions in the last 60 days.”
FinMate instantly:
- Analyses graph relationships
- Summarises behavioural anomalies
- Highlights risk factors
- Visualises linkages
This accelerates investigation speed, improves accuracy, and strengthens regulatory confidence.
Case in Focus: How a Philippine Bank Modernised Its AML System
A leading bank and digital wallet provider in the Philippines partnered with Tookitaki to replace its legacy FICO-based AML system with FinCense.
The transformation was dramatic.
The Results
- >90% reduction in false positives
- >95% alert accuracy
- 10× faster scenario deployment
- 75% reduction in alert volume
- Screening over 40 million customers
- Processing 1 billion+ transactions
What made the difference?
- Integrated architecture reducing fragmentation
- Adaptive AI models fine-tuning detection logic
- FinMate accelerating investigation turnaround
- Federated intelligence shaping detection scenarios
- Strong model governance improving regulator trust
This deployment has since become a benchmark for large-scale AML transformation in the region.
The Role of the AFC Ecosystem: Shared Defence for a Shared Problem
Financial crime doesn’t operate within borders — and neither should detection.
The Anti-Financial Crime (AFC) Ecosystem, powered by Tookitaki, serves as a collaborative platform for sharing:
- Red flags
- Typologies
- Scenarios
- Trend analyses
- Federated Insight Cards
Why this matters
- Financial institutions gain early visibility into emerging risks.
- Philippine banks benefit from scenarios first seen abroad.
- Typology coverage remains updated without manual research.
- Models adapt faster using federated learning signals.
The AFC Ecosystem turns AML from a siloed function into a collaborative advantage.
Why Integration Matters in Modern AML Systems
As fraud, compliance, cybersecurity, and risk converge, AML cannot operate in isolation.
Integrated systems enable:
- Cross-channel behaviour detection
- Unified customer risk profiles
- Faster investigations
- Consistent controls across business units
- Lower operational overhead
- Better alignment with enterprise governance
With Tookitaki’s cloud-native and Kubernetes-based architecture, FinCense allows institutions to scale while maintaining high performance and resilience.
The Future of AML System Software
The next wave of AML systems will be defined by:
1. Predictive intelligence
Systems that forecast crime before it occurs.
2. Real-time ecosystem collaboration
Shared typologies across regulators, banks, and fintechs.
3. Embedded explainability
Full transparency built directly into model logic.
4. Integrated AML–fraud ecosystems
Unified platforms covering fraud, money laundering, sanctions, and risk.
5. Agentic AI as an industry standard
AI copilots becoming central to investigations and reporting.
Tookitaki’s Trust Layer vision — combining intelligence, transparency, and collaboration — is aligned directly with this future.
Conclusion
The era of fragmented AML tools is ending.
The future belongs to institutions that embrace connected intelligence — unified systems that learn, explain, and collaborate.
Modern AML system software like Tookitaki’s FinCense is more than a compliance solution. It is the backbone of a resilient, fast, and trusted financial ecosystem.
It empowers banks and fintechs to:
- Detect risk earlier
- Investigate faster
- Collaborate smarter
- Satisfy regulators with confidence
- And build trust with every transaction
The world is moving toward real-time finance — and the only way forward is with real-time, intelligent AML systems guiding the way.


