#12  Are we fighting crime or ticking boxes? | Oonagh van den Berg

Loading player...
Discover what FSIs can do (and should do) but don't do, to fight crime.

This episode with Oonagh van den Berg of Raw Compliance takes a bold step in re-looking at how we comply with our AML regulatory requirements.

Oonagh argues that many current control frameworks are not fully fit for purpose as they were designed for a slower financial world and struggle to keep up with instant payments, embedded finance, crypto, and AI-driven fraud. While these frameworks may be technically compliant, they lack operational effectiveness.

The conversation covers issues of overregulation, data fragmentation, the disconnect between compliance and business operations, and the limitations of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) evaluations.

Oonagh advocates for a shift from rule-based to data-first, dynamic, and tech-enabled frameworks that can adapt to evolving criminal behaviours. She stresses the importance of compliance officers developing skills in data analytics, technology, and business understanding rather than focusing solely on regulatory knowledge
Chapters
  • 00:02 Introduction to financial crime framework challenges
  • 02:27 Are current financial control frameworks fit for purpose?
  • 05:02 The impact of overregulation on risk management
  • 07:08 Principles-based vs rules-based regulation
  • 09:53 Data fragmentation and its impact on financial crime control
  • 12:59 AI implementation challenges in financial institutions
  • 16:35 Excessive complexity in compliance processes
  • 21:00 Practical challenges in compliance requirements
  • 25:18 Bridging the gap between regulation and business
  • 34:14 FATF evaluations and effective enforcement
  • 39:08 Final advice for compliance professionals
Season 1 / Episode 12 19 Dec English South Africa Documentary · Business

Other recent episodes

A lifestyle audit is just a piece of paper. Why bother?

Lifestyle audits are symbolically unsubstantial. Lifestyle audits can be extremely valuable, especially considering the high level of crime within the public sector, and South Africa is a notable example. Many public departments treat audits as mere self-reporting exercises without verification. There is poor follow-through on findings, a lack of mandatory…
Season 1 / Episode 11 21 min

Are we fighting crime or feeding the system? | Pieter Rossouw

Rethinking the RBA, AML effectiveness, and UBO failures. In this hard-hitting episode, Dawn Pretorius is joined by seasoned financial-crime expert Pieter Rossouw to unpack whether our global AML systems are truly fighting illicit finance — or unintentionally fuelling it. From the misuse of the risk-based approach, to the startling ineffectiveness…
Season 1 / Episode 10 52 min

The Compliance Crunch: Tech, Risk & Regulation | Jonnie Davis

Where technology, crime, and compliance collide. A sharp, investigative podcast that exposes how technology is reshaping the global fight against money laundering. Hosted by Dawn Pretorius, The Laundromat tackles the fast-evolving world of AML through expert conversations, real-world cases, and bold questions about regulation, innovation, and the launderers who always…
Season 1 / Episode 9 43 min

Grey list, global scams, and AML realities | Bela Carvalho-Olivier

A candid, insider view of AML’s wins, failures and future. ✅ South Africa’s greylisting journey — are we really out of the woods? ✅ The rise of scams as a global, multi-billion-dollar industry. ✅ The real challenges faced by AML professionals on the ground. ✅ Whether SMEs and non-financial businesses…
Season 1 / Episode 8 32 min

Hawala: The Invisible Artery of Illicit Finance

Hawala is more than a remittance tool - it's a silent counter-economy. Rooted in ancient trust-based systems, the hawala system allows funds to travel across borders without ever entering the formal financial system. For financial criminals, hawala is an off-the-books express lane. For AML professionals, it's the ultimate blind spot…
Season 1 / Episode 7 13 min