Certified Money Laundering Schemes Analyst (CMLSA) Certification Program by Tonex
Certified Money Laundering Schemes Analyst (CMLSA) certification equips professionals with the expertise to detect, investigate, and prevent sophisticated money laundering schemes. This intensive 2-day course covers financial crime methodologies, forensic analysis, regulatory frameworks, transaction monitoring, and the use of AI and data analytics to track illicit financial flows.
Participants will gain practical experience in identifying red flags, assessing risks, and investigating real-world money laundering cases across different industries. The certification is ideal for professionals working in financial compliance, risk management, forensic accounting, banking, law enforcement, and regulatory oversight.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing the certification, participants will be able to:
- Understand money laundering typologies, techniques, and real-world schemes.
- Identify red flags and suspicious activities linked to money laundering.
- Investigate financial transactions, shell companies, and illicit financial flows.
- Apply risk-based AML strategies and compliance frameworks.
- Leverage big data analytics, AI, and forensic accounting in AML investigations.
- Understand crypto-assets and dark web laundering techniques.
- Implement AML regulatory requirements and global compliance standards.
- Conduct money laundering risk assessments and transaction monitoring.
- Analyze real-world case studies of major money laundering schemes.
- Collaborate with law enforcement, regulatory bodies, and financial institutions to combat money laundering.
Target Audience
The certification is designed for professionals in:
- Financial Institutions & Banks (AML Compliance Teams, Risk Officers)
- Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) & Regulatory Bodies
- Law Enforcement & Government Agencies
- Forensic Accountants & Fraud Analysts
- Cryptocurrency Investigators & Cybercrime Units
- Legal & Compliance Professionals
- Auditors & Internal Investigators
- Investment & Trade Finance Professionals
- Professionals in FinTech & Blockchain Forensics
Certification Benefits
- Recognized AML Expertise – Gain a competitive edge in financial crime investigations.
- Advanced Investigative Skills – Learn cutting-edge forensic and data analytics techniques.
- Enhanced Regulatory Knowledge – Stay ahead of evolving AML compliance standards.
- Practical Hands-On Learning – Apply knowledge through case studies and simulations.
- Industry Networking – Connect with AML professionals, financial crime investigators, and compliance officers.
The CMLSA certification is designed to be highly practical and intelligence-driven, ensuring professionals can effectively detect, investigate, and prevent money laundering
Program Modules
Day 1: Foundations & Investigative Techniques
Module 1: Understanding Money Laundering Schemes
- The three stages of money laundering
- Evolving tactics used by criminals to launder funds
- Real-world case studies of laundering schemes
Module 2: Global AML Regulations & Compliance
- FATF, USA PATRIOT Act, EU AML Directives, Basel AML
- AML obligations for financial institutions and reporting entities
- KYC, CDD, and risk-based approaches to AML compliance
Module 3: Financial Transaction Monitoring & Suspicious Activity Detection
- Red flags and risk indicators of money laundering
- How financial institutions monitor transactions for suspicious activity
- Structuring, smurfing, and layering techniques
Module 4: Investigating Shell Companies, Offshore Accounts & Trade-Based Laundering
- Techniques for identifying shell companies
- How illicit funds move through offshore financial centers
- Trade-based money laundering (TBML) and invoice fraud
Day 2: Advanced Analysis & Real-World Case Studies
Module 5: Cryptocurrency & Dark Web Money Laundering
- How criminals use cryptocurrencies for laundering
- Techniques for tracing crypto transactions
- Investigating dark web financial crimes
Module 6: AI & Machine Learning in AML Investigations
- AI-driven fraud detection systems
- Behavioral analytics for AML compliance
- Predictive modeling for financial crime detection
Module 7: Real-World Case Studies & Advanced Investigation Techniques
- Major financial crime cases (e.g., HSBC AML violations, Danske Bank scandal)
- AML forensic accounting techniques
- Cross-border money laundering investigations
Module 8: Practical Workshop & Certification Exam Review
- Hands-on AML investigation exercises
- Simulated financial crime scenarios
- Certification exam preparation and Q&A
Exam Format & Passing Criteria
- Format: 100 multiple-choice questions
- Duration: 2 hours
- Passing Score: 75% (75/100)
- Exam Mode: Online proctored or in-person
- Validity: 3 years (renewal via continuing education or re-examination)
Exam Domains & Coverage
The CMLSA exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, covering the following domains:
Domain 1: Introduction to Money Laundering Schemes (20%)
- Definition, stages, and mechanics of money laundering
- Placement, layering, and integration processes
- Major global money laundering scandals and case studies
- Methods used to disguise illicit funds
Domain 2: Money Laundering Techniques & Typologies (25%)
- Trade-based money laundering (TBML)
- Shell companies, trusts, and offshore havens
- Real estate laundering schemes
- Casino and gambling-based money laundering
- Digital payment fraud and laundering via e-commerce
- High-profile case studies (e.g., Panama Papers, 1MDB Scandal)
Domain 3: AML Compliance & Regulatory Frameworks (20%)
- Global AML regulations: FATF, USA PATRIOT Act, FinCEN, EU AML Directives, Basel AML standards
- KYC (Know Your Customer), CDD (Customer Due Diligence), and EDD (Enhanced Due Diligence)
- Sanctions compliance and watchlists (OFAC, UN, EU)
- AML obligations for financial institutions and businesses
Domain 4: Cryptocurrency & Dark Web Laundering (15%)
- How cryptocurrencies are used in laundering schemes
- Blockchain forensics and crypto transaction tracing
- Dark web financial transactions and privacy coins (e.g., Monero, Zcash)
- Investigating illicit virtual asset transactions
Domain 5: AI & Data Analytics in AML Investigations (10%)
- Machine learning and AI-driven AML solutions
- Network analysis and anomaly detection
- Identifying suspicious transaction patterns
- Big data analytics for real-time money laundering detection
Domain 6: Case Studies & Investigation Techniques (10%)
- Investigative techniques used by financial institutions and law enforcement
- Linking financial flows to illicit activities
- Public-private partnerships in AML investigations
- Best practices in forensic accounting for AML cases