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Mayfair Real Estate Institute

Whether you're looking to start a career in compliance, enhance your role in banking or finance, or simply want to understand how global institutions combat illicit financial activity, this course provides the knowledge and practical tools to get you there.

We begin by breaking down the foundation of money laundering: what it is, how it works, and why it's such a serious global threat to economic integrity. You’ll explore the full money laundering cycle, including placement, layering, and integration — explained in simple language.

From there, we dive into the frameworks that protect against it:

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Whether you're looking to start a career in compliance, enhance your role in banking or finance, or simply want to understand how global institutions combat illicit financial activity, this course provides the knowledge and practical tools to get you there.

We begin by breaking down the foundation of money laundering: what it is, how it works, and why it's such a serious global threat to economic integrity. You’ll explore the full money laundering cycle, including placement, layering, and integration — explained in simple language.

From there, we dive into the frameworks that protect against it:

  • Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures

  • Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)

  • Handling Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)

  • Recognizing red flags and suspicious behavior

  • Filing Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) correctly

  • Understanding FATF recommendations, sanctions, and global enforcement efforts

You'll also analyze real-world failures in compliance from major institutions like HSBC and Danske Bank — learning exactly what went wrong and how it could have been prevented.

This course includes:

  • Expert-level instruction explained in simple, digestible language

  • Downloadable resources, templates, checklists, and visual guides

  • Scenario-based practice to apply what you've learned

  • Final videos covering enforcement actions and compliance careers

  • No experience needed — just curiosity and attention to detail

By the end of this course, you'll not only understand how financial institutions identify and manage compliance risk — you'll be prepared to contribute meaningfully to the fight against money laundering in your future career.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Explain the purpose and principles of anti-money laundering (aml) and know your customer (kyc) regulations.
  • Identify the three stages of money laundering and recognize common laundering techniques.
  • Apply customer due diligence (cdd) and enhanced due diligence (edd) procedures in practical scenarios.
  • Detect suspicious activity using real-world red flags and transaction patterns.
  • Understand how to file suspicious transaction reports (strs) and meet compliance requirements.
  • Analyze high-profile aml case studies to evaluate risk, failure points, and best practices.

Syllabus

Understanding Money Laundering
What Is Money Laundering?
The Three Stages of Money Laundering
Real-World Money Laundering Examples
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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Anti-Money Laundering: AML, KYC, CDD & EDD Compliance. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Anti-Money Laundering: AML, KYC, CDD & EDD Compliance will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
AML Compliance Analyst
An AML Compliance Analyst plays a critical role in safeguarding financial institutions against illicit financial activities. This course is exceptionally well-suited for aspiring AML Compliance Analysts, providing a thorough grounding in the principles of Anti-Money Laundering. Learners will develop expertise in identifying suspicious behavior and transaction patterns, understanding the full money laundering cycle—placement, layering, and integration—and applying essential compliance frameworks such as Know Your Customer, Customer Due Diligence, and Enhanced Due Diligence. The practical tools, real-world case studies, and scenario-based practice included in the course directly prepare one to detect red flags, file Suspicious Transaction Reports, and contribute meaningfully to global enforcement efforts, directly supporting success in this vital role.
Know Your Customer Analyst
A Know Your Customer Analyst is fundamental to preventing financial crime by verifying client identities and assessing risk. This course offers highly relevant knowledge and practical tools for anyone aiming to become a Know Your Customer Analyst. It meticulously covers KYC procedures, including Customer Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence, which are central to this role. Learners will gain proficiency in handling Politically Exposed Persons, recognizing red flags, and understanding high-risk countries and financial vulnerabilities. The scenario-based practice and analysis of real-world compliance failures from major institutions provide distinct advantages, ensuring that participants are well-prepared to identify and manage compliance risk associated with client onboarding and ongoing monitoring.
Financial Crime Investigator
A Financial Crime Investigator uncovers and analyzes complex financial offenses, including money laundering and terrorist financing. This course is highly relevant for individuals pursuing a career as a Financial Crime Investigator, building a strong foundation in understanding illicit financial activity. It thoroughly explores the money laundering cycle, common laundering techniques, and terrorist financing methods. Learners will develop crucial skills in detecting suspicious activity using real-world red flags and transaction patterns, applying practical due diligence procedures, and understanding global enforcement efforts and sanctions. Analyzing high-profile AML case studies and preparing Suspicious Transaction Reports provides direct preparation for the investigative demands of this role, helping one succeed in combating economic integrity threats.
Transaction Monitoring Analyst
A Transaction Monitoring Analyst scrutinizes financial transactions to identify and report suspicious activities indicative of money laundering or terrorist financing. This course provides an excellent preparation for the responsibilities of a Transaction Monitoring Analyst, offering deep insights into how illicit funds move. Learners will understand the three stages of money laundering and common methods used, enabling them to effectively spot suspicious transaction patterns. The course specifically covers recognizing red flags, analyzing real-life scenarios, and understanding key indicators for detecting money laundering. Practical exercises and guidance on filing Suspicious Transaction Reports correctly ensure that participants can immediately contribute to monitoring efforts and compliance requirements in this critical function.
Customer Due Diligence Specialist
A Customer Due Diligence Specialist is responsible for thoroughly vetting clients to assess and mitigate risks associated with financial crime. Becoming a Customer Due Diligence Specialist requires a deep understanding of customer identification and risk assessment, areas comprehensively covered by this course. It details the application of Customer Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence procedures in practical scenarios. Learners will gain expertise in handling Politically Exposed Persons, identifying high-risk countries, and recognizing the red flags and suspicious behavior that necessitate deeper scrutiny. The downloadable resources, templates, and scenario-based practice within the course empower individuals to perform detailed due diligence, directly supporting success in protecting institutions from illicit financial activity.
Sanctions Compliance Officer
A Sanctions Compliance Officer ensures an organization adheres to international economic sanctions, a critical component of financial crime prevention. This course provides highly relevant knowledge for individuals aspiring to become a Sanctions Compliance Officer, as it includes a dedicated section on understanding sanctions and global enforcement efforts. Learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the broader context of illicit financial activity, including terrorist financing and high-risk countries, which are often targets of sanctions regimes. The course’s emphasis on compliance frameworks, risk identification, and understanding regulatory action provides a robust foundation for interpreting and applying sanctions regulations to prevent money laundering and other financial crimes successfully.
Anti Financial Crime Specialist
An Anti Financial Crime Specialist works to protect financial institutions from activities such as money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanctions evasion. This course is highly relevant for anyone pursuing a position as an Anti Financial Crime Specialist, as it provides a holistic understanding of foundational financial crime typologies and prevention. Learners will gain expertise across the full money laundering cycle, including placement, layering, and integration, and delve into terrorist financing. The course covers essential frameworks like Know Your Customer, Customer Due Diligence, and Enhanced Due Diligence, along with recognizing red flags and understanding FATF recommendations and sanctions. This comprehensive knowledge prepares one to contribute meaningfully to the fight against various forms of financial crime.
Regulatory Compliance Officer
A Regulatory Compliance Officer ensures an organization operates within the bounds of relevant laws and regulations. This course is beneficial for individuals pursuing a career as a Regulatory Compliance Officer, providing an in-depth understanding of a significant area of financial regulation: Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer. Learners will explain the purpose and principles of AML/KYC regulations, apply due diligence procedures, and understand global enforcement efforts and FATF recommendations. By analyzing real-world compliance failures, one learns how to prevent non-compliance. While AML is a specific regulatory domain, the principles of identifying risk, adhering to frameworks, and reporting mechanisms are transferable, making this course helpful for broader regulatory compliance roles within financial institutions.
Compliance Specialist
A Compliance Specialist ensures that an organization adheres to internal policies and external legal and regulatory requirements. This course provides an excellent foundation for a Compliance Specialist role, particularly within the financial sector, by focusing on Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer compliance. Learners will explain the principles of AML/KYC regulations, apply CDD and EDD procedures, and understand the importance of identifying suspicious activity and filing Suspicious Transaction Reports. The course's detailed exploration of regulatory frameworks, real-world failures, and best practices helps one develop the critical thinking skills needed to maintain a robust compliance posture and contribute to an organization's ethical and legal operations across various compliance domains.
Compliance Auditor
A Compliance Auditor evaluates an organization's adherence to internal policies and external regulations, including those related to financial crime. This course is beneficial for individuals interested in a Compliance Auditor role, as it offers a deep dive into Anti-Money Laundering, Know Your Customer, and Customer Due Diligence compliance frameworks. Learners will develop a strong understanding of identifying common laundering techniques, recognizing red flags, and understanding the requirements for filing Suspicious Transaction Reports. This knowledge is crucial for auditing AML programs, allowing an auditor to assess the effectiveness of controls and compliance procedures accurately. The course's focus on real-world failures and best practices helps one identify gaps and recommend improvements in compliance systems.
Financial Intelligence Unit Analyst
A Financial Intelligence Unit Analyst collects, processes, and disseminates financial intelligence to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. This course helps prepare individuals aspiring to become a Financial Intelligence Unit Analyst, providing a comprehensive understanding of the very data and reports these units handle. Learners will gain expertise in the three stages of money laundering, common methods, and terrorist financing. Crucially, the course details how to file Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) correctly, which are primary inputs for FIUs. The ability to detect suspicious activity using real-world red flags and analyze high-profile AML case studies helps build a foundation to effectively contribute to the analytical work of a Financial Intelligence Unit.
Financial Risk Analyst
A Financial Risk Analyst identifies, assesses, and mitigates financial risks that could impact an organization's stability and reputation. This course may be helpful for aspiring Financial Risk Analysts, as "compliance risk" is a significant component of operational risk, which often falls under their purview. The course provides a detailed understanding of how financial institutions identify and manage compliance risk associated with money laundering. Learners will explore the consequences of money laundering, analyze high-profile case studies to evaluate failure points, and understand regulatory actions. This knowledge helps build a foundation for assessing risks related to illicit financial activity and understanding the frameworks like KYC and CDD designed to mitigate them, contributing to broader financial risk management strategies.
Client Onboarding Professional
A Client Onboarding Professional facilitates the process of bringing new clients into a financial institution, ensuring all necessary documentation and regulatory requirements are met. This course may be useful for individuals in a Client Onboarding Professional role, as it extensively covers Know Your Customer and Customer Due Diligence procedures, which are central to client intake. Learners will gain practical tools for applying CDD and Enhanced Due Diligence, recognizing suspicious behavior during client setup, and understanding Politically Exposed Persons. The course's emphasis on identifying red flags and managing compliance risk during the initial client relationship phase directly supports the responsibilities of ensuring compliant and secure client integration processes.
Internal Controls Specialist
An Internal Controls Specialist designs, implements, and monitors controls to safeguard assets and ensure the integrity of financial reporting and operational processes. This course may be useful for individuals interested in becoming an Internal Controls Specialist, as Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer procedures are crucial internal controls within financial institutions. Learners will understand the frameworks that protect against illicit financial activity, such as CDD and EDD, and learn to recognize red flags and suspicious behavior. This knowledge helps build a foundation for assessing the effectiveness of controls designed to prevent financial crime and ensure regulatory adherence, contributing to the overall strength and reliability of an organization's internal control environment.
Fraud Prevention Specialist
A Fraud Prevention Specialist works to detect, prevent, and investigate fraudulent activities within an organization. This course may be helpful for individuals pursuing a career as a Fraud Prevention Specialist, as there is significant overlap between fraud and money laundering schemes. Learners will develop a keen eye for recognizing red flags, understanding suspicious behavior, and analyzing transaction patterns that can be indicative of both money laundering and various forms of fraud. The course's exploration of common methods used in laundering money and real-life scenarios helps one identify illicit flows. While focused on AML, the skills gained in vigilance, risk identification, and reporting suspicious activities can readily apply to broader fraud prevention efforts.

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Provides a guide to AML for accountants. It covers the latest AML regulations and guidance, and how accountants can help their clients comply with these requirements.
The FATF's flagship publication, providing the international standards and guidance on combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
Provides a comprehensive overview of financial crime, including money laundering, terrorist financing, and other types of illicit financial activity.
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A comprehensive guide from the IMF, providing a detailed overview of the AML/CFT framework, best practices, and emerging trends.
Provides a broad understanding of AML regulations and their practical implementation. It's a useful reference tool for understanding how rules apply to real-life scenarios and offers actionable guidance for combatting money laundering challenges. It is often cited as a comprehensive guide in the field.
Explores how criminals exploit financial systems for various illicit activities, including money laundering. It provides real-world case studies and insights into the mechanisms used. This is valuable for gaining a deeper understanding of the 'why' and 'how' behind the need for AML measures.
Drawing from extensive experience, Cassara examines traditional and emerging money laundering methodologies. offers a law enforcement perspective on the fight against financial crime and explores innovative solutions. It's particularly useful for understanding the practical challenges of tracing illicit funds.
Delves into how the U.S. has become a significant player in illicit offshore finance. It highlights the role of certain states in facilitating the creation of shell companies. This provides a contemporary and critical perspective on AML challenges within a major global economy.
An authoritative examination of trade-based money laundering (TBML), this book discusses common techniques and the challenges in detecting them. It's valuable for understanding a specific and growing area of money laundering. Provides insight into TBML methods and using analytics for detection.
Illuminates the massive scale of global money laundering and how criminal and terrorist organizations infiltrate legitimate systems. It covers sophisticated methods used to clean money, including cyber laundering, and discusses AML strategies. Useful for understanding the broader context and impact of money laundering.
This reference provides comprehensive guidance on Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) within the BSA/AML framework. It's a practical tool for compliance professionals needing detailed information on CDD and EDD processes.
Likely a comprehensive guide covering both AML and CFT, this book would be valuable for professionals seeking to understand the interconnectedness of these two areas. It would provide a deeper understanding of the regulatory landscape and practical applications.
Explores the impact of technology on regulatory compliance, including AML. It's relevant for understanding contemporary trends and the role of technology in improving AML processes. Useful for those interested in the future of AML compliance.
Offers a concise overview of AML awareness and compliance, suitable for those new to the topic or in roles requiring a foundational understanding. It provides practical guidance for financial personnel and business managers.
A guide specifically for criminal investigators, this book delves into the methods of money laundering from an investigative perspective. It offers insights into identifying and proving money laundering activities, valuable for those interested in the enforcement side of AML.
Explores the challenges of tracking illicit funds in the age of cryptocurrency. It's highly relevant to contemporary AML issues and provides a fascinating look at the intersection of technology and financial crime.
A gripping true story that highlights the real-world consequences of money laundering and the fight against illicit finance at a geopolitical level. While a narrative, it provides valuable context and motivation for AML efforts.
Investigates the world of offshore finance and how it facilitates illicit financial flows. It provides a broad understanding of the global systems that enable money laundering and the challenges in combating them.
A critical look at the role of the UK in facilitating global money laundering. offers a specific case study of how a developed nation can become a hub for illicit finance, adding depth to the understanding of the global AML landscape.
Provides a risk-based approach to AML compliance. It helps financial institutions identify and mitigate the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing.

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