Financial Crime Investigation Techniques in Egypt: A Growing Concern
The issue of money laundering has been a growing concern in Egypt, with the country’s strategic geographical location, growing economy, and large informal sector making it vulnerable to various forms of financial crime. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has identified Egypt as facing challenges including illicit funds generated through corruption, drug trafficking, and organized crime.
Combating Money Laundering in Egypt
To combat this issue, the government and financial institutions have introduced measures to promote financial inclusion and limit cash usage. The National Council for Payments was established in 2017 to encourage the adoption of electronic payment methods and integrate citizens and businesses into the banking system. The FIU has also issued regulations for mobile payments, resulting in a significant increase in mobile payment accounts.
Legal Framework for Combating Money Laundering
Several laws and regulations are in place in Egypt to combat money laundering, including:
- Law No. 80 of 2002 on Combating Money Laundering (as amended)
- Executive Regulations of Law No. 80 of 2002
- Anti-Money Laundering Unit’s guidelines on risk-based approach and customer due diligence
- Decree No. 8 of 2019 on the rules and procedures for combating money laundering and terrorist financing for non-profit organizations
Combating Money Laundering: Best Practices
Financial institutions in Egypt must implement measures such as:
- Customer due diligence
- Screening
- Risk-based approach
- Transaction monitoring
Non-compliance can result in severe penalties including imprisonment and fines.
Tookitaki’s Anti-Money Laundering Solutions
Tookitaki is a leading provider of AML solutions that help financial institutions worldwide to enhance their compliance with AML regulations. The company’s Anti-Money Laundering Suite (AMLS) and Anti-Financial Crime (AFC) Ecosystem work together to address the shortcomings of siloed systems in the fight against money laundering.
Tookitaki’s approach starts with its AFC ecosystem, a community-based platform that shares information and best practices in the fight against financial crime. The AFC ecosystem is powered through its Typology Repository, a live database of money laundering techniques and schemes called typologies.
How Tookitaki’s Solutions Can Help
- Provides advanced analytics
- Utilizes machine learning algorithms
- Improves detection of suspicious activities
Conclusion
Combating money laundering in Egypt requires a coordinated effort from financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and technology providers. Financial institutions must implement effective AML programs and adhere to best practices in preventing and detecting money laundering. Technology solutions like Tookitaki’s can play a critical role in assisting financial institutions in their AML efforts by providing advanced analytics, machine learning algorithms, and improved detection of suspicious activities. We encourage financial institutions in Egypt to try Tookitaki’s AML solutions and experience the benefits of automated detection, reduced false positives, and increased efficiency in their AML programs.