About AFC Group
Our Mission
Our Services
Our Services
At AFC Group, our mission is to safeguard financial systems while maintaining integrity in the global economy. We specialize in providing tailored Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorism Financing (CTF) consulting services to financial institutions, fintech companies, law enforcement, betting operators, casinos and businesses across various industries. We combine deep knowledge related to AML regulatory compliance matters, and practical industry experience to deliver customized solutions that address the unique challenges faced by each client.
Our Services
Our Services
Our Services
We offer a wide range of services, providing guidance, expertise, and support to businesses and financial institutions to help them comply with anti financial crime regulations aimed at preventing money laundering and terrorist financing. We assist clients in implementing compliance programs, conducting risk assessments, developing policies and procedures, and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements. We also offer training and ongoing support to help organizations stay updated on evolving AML/CTF laws and regulations.
Our Approach
Our Services
Our Approach
We are committed to helping our clients navigate the complex landscape of AML/CTF regulations and safeguard their businesses against financial crime. Our collaborative approach, fortified by extensive industry expertise and a steadfast dedication to excellence, make us a trusted partner in achieving sustainable compliance and mitigating financial crime risks effectively. We believe in creating an environment where everyone can share ideas, ask questions, and take risks by working together towards a common goal guided by a shared vision.
Clientele
Banking
Our tailored AML solutions offer banks a robust framework to safeguard against financial crimes. Through meticulous risk assessment, advanced technology integration, and regulatory compliance expertise, we provide banks with proactive strategies to detect and mitigate money laundering risks. We collaborate with financial institutions, offering tailored solutions that align with regulatory requirements and industry best practices. From robust transaction monitoring to comprehensive due diligence processes, our services empower banks to enhance their AML compliance, bolstering trust, and safeguarding the integrity of their operations.
Payments
Payment processors face the threat of exploitation by criminals aiming to launder illegal funds through transactions that appear legitimate. We work closely with payment networks, processors, issuing banks, and merchant service providers, providing customized solutions that adhere to regulatory standards and industry norms.
We assist in enhancing their AML compliance endeavors by conducting efficient transaction monitoring, periodic reviews and due diligence. This ensures the secure processing of transactions while strengthening overall compliance measures.
Fintech
Our specialized services cater to the unique needs of fintech companies, offering innovative solutions to combat financial crimes. Leveraging advanced technology and industry expertise, we provide fintechs with tailored AML frameworks designed to identify and mitigate money laundering risks effectively. Our comprehensive approach encompasses sophisticated transaction monitoring, robust customer due diligence processes, and continuous regulatory compliance updates. By partnering with us, fintech enterprises can strengthen their AML compliance posture, enhance customer trust, and safeguard their platforms against illicit activities.
Betting
With a deep understanding of the regulatory environment and the dynamics of betting operations, we provide betting companies with robust solutions to detect and prevent illicit financial activities related to gambling. Online Gambling raises concerns related to responsible gambling, consumer protection, and regulatory oversight, as the ease of access and potential for anonymity can pose risks such as addiction, fraud, and money laundering. Our services include advanced transaction monitoring, thorough customer due diligence processes, and ongoing compliance support to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Law Enforcement
We support law enforcement and government agencies in their efforts to combat financial crimes and illicit activities. With extensive expertise in AML regulations, investigative techniques, and financial analysis, we offer comprehensive solutions to assist law enforcement agencies in identifying, tracking, and prosecuting individuals or organizations involved in money laundering schemes. Our services encompass advanced data analytics, forensic accounting, and risk assessment methodologies to uncover complex financial transactions and patterns indicative of money laundering activities. We offer actionable intelligence, prepare evidence, and provide expert testimony in support of criminal investigations and prosecutions.
Our Solutions
Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)
We have solutions tailored to the unique risk profiles and regulatory requirements of our clients. Our EDD process goes beyond standard Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures and involves a meticulous examination of various key elements, including inherent risk factors, advanced research methodologies and proprietary databases to identify the ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) behind complex ownership structures, tracing the origin and legitimacy of funds through extensive documentation review, financial analysis, and investigative techniques.
Regulatory Compliance
We assist our clients in understanding and complying with AML/CTF laws and regulations issued by regulatory bodies such as FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network), FATF (Financial Action Task Force), Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and other relevant authorities. Our experts conduct comprehensive assessments of existing compliance programs and provide recommendations for enhancing effectiveness and efficiency.
Risk Assessment and Management
We conduct thorough risk assessments to identify and prioritize financial crime risks specific to each client's business operations, customer base, and geographic footprint. Our risk management strategies encompass the development of robust policies, procedures, and controls aimed at mitigating identified risks while minimizing disruption to business operations.
Screening
Our screening processes include robust checks against global PEP databases and sanctions lists to identify individuals holding prominent public positions or having close associations with politically exposed entities. We assess the level of risk posed by PEP relationships and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures to safeguard against potential corruption or undue influence.
Transaction Monitoring and Suspicious Activity Reporting
We assist clients in implementing robust transaction monitoring systems that utilize advanced technologies and analytics to detect suspicious activities in real-time. Our team provides guidance on optimizing alert thresholds, investigating alerts, and filing accurate Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to regulatory authorities
Training and Awareness Programs
We develop customized training programs tailored to the needs of our clients' staff members, executives, and board members. These programs cover key AML/CTF concepts, regulatory requirements, red flags of money laundering, and best practices for maintaining a culture of compliance throughout the organization.
Independent Audits and Reviews
Our independent audits and reviews help clients evaluate the effectiveness of their financial crime prevention programs and identify areas for improvement. We conduct thorough reviews of policies, procedures, and controls, providing actionable recommendations to enhance compliance and mitigate risks.
EXECUTIVE BIO
James Lephew, CAMS, CGSS
James Lephew is the Founder and Principal Consultant at AFC Group, and holds certifications as a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS), with over a decade of extensive international experience spanning the online gambling, banking, and finance sectors. He has dedicated his career to mitigating financial crime risks, providing strategic advice to board-level executives and C-Suite members on AML/CTF regulatory compliance matters. Throughout his professional journey, he has assumed pivotal roles such as Chief Compliance Officer, Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and Head of Financial Crime Prevention across various companies in Europe.
James is an active member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) U.S. Capital - Washington, D.C. Chapter. He serves as a trainer and mentor, offering insights and sharing best practices with companies across Europe and the United States. Additionally, he is a commissioned notary public.
Originally from Maryland, James has accumulated a wealth of experience working with prominent banks and online gambling enterprises in Europe before returning to his hometown. He earned his Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Paris-Est Creteil (UPEC) 12 in France and completed his Bachelor’s in Political Science & Spanish at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland.