Red Flags Uncovered, analysing Suspicious Transactions in Financial Investigations, 12 February 2026

Workshop provides a clear, structured overview of how to identify and analyse red flags in financial transactions.

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Delegates will learn to recognise behavioural and transactional anomalies, apply analytical frameworks to assess suspicious activity, and produce clear, defensible suspicion narratives and SARs.

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Through real-world case studies, the course strengthens participants’ ability to detect high-risk patterns, prioritise alerts, and support effective AML and fraud-investigation decision-making.

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Held online via Team. Certificates of CPD available.

 

AGENDA - GMT

9.30am-9.40am: Welcome and introduction, Carol Jenkins, The Investigator

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9.40am-10.30am: Session One: Understanding Red Flags - Indicators Across Fraud, AML, and Financial Crime

This opening session introduces participants to the spectrum of red-flag indicators that signal suspicious or illicit activity. It explores the distinction between transactional anomalies, behavioural inconsistencies, structural irregularities, and typology-driven indicators.

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Key topics include:

• the role of red flags in AML, fraud prevention, and risk assessment

• common typologies across banking, payments, remittances, trade finance, and digital platforms

• behavioural indicators (e.g., unusual customer patterns, inconsistent documentation)

• transactional indicators (e.g., rapid movement of funds, circular transfers, structuring)

• geographic and sectoral indicators tied to high-risk jurisdictions and industries

• emerging red flags linked to fintech, virtual assets, and online fraud

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The session ensures participants can accurately define, recognise, and articulate red-flag indicators in a variety of operational contexts.

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10.30am-10.40am: Questions

10.40am-11am: Break

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11am-11.50am: Session Two: Analytical Frameworks for Identifying and Prioritising Suspicious Transactions

This session presents a structured, defensible approach to analysing potentially suspicious activity. Participants learn how to transform raw transaction data into meaningful intelligence through analytical reasoning.

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Topics covered include:

• building analytical models for suspicious-transaction review

• assessing materiality, intent, and potential misuse of financial products

• identifying patterns: structuring, layering, round-tripping, and burst activity

• correlating customer profiles with actual financial behaviour

• evaluating the reliability and completeness of available information

• distinguishing genuine anomalies from false positives

• prioritisation techniques based on risk and operational impact

 

The session equips participants with the ability to apply analytical methodologies rather than relying solely on checklists.

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11.50am-Noon: Questions

Noon-12.20pm: Break

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12.20pm-1.10pm: Session Three: Developing Defensible Suspicion Narratives and Suspicious Activity Report Documentation

Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) must be clear, concise, and defensible. This session guides participants through the process of producing high-quality analytical outputs.

 

Topics include:

• structuring a suspicion narrative using evidence and logical reasoning

• articulating the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of suspicious behaviour

• transforming indicators into clear grounds for suspicion

• aligning documentation with regulatory expectations and audit requirements

• avoiding overreporting and underreporting pitfalls

• handling incomplete data while maintaining narrative integrity

• writing SARs that support intelligence sharing and follow-up investigations

 

Through examples and model structures, participants learn how to produce robust, regulator-ready reports.

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1.10pm-1.20pm: Questions

1.20pm-1.30pm: Break

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1.30pm-2.20pm: Session Four: Case Studies and Practical Analysis Exercises, The final session applies all concepts through realistic, hands-on case studies drawn from fraud, AML, corruption, and terrorist-financing investigations.

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2.20pm-2.30pm: Questions

2.30pm: Workshop finishes.

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HOW TO BOOK

Cost: £209 + VAT (GBP) per delegate per workshop (LEA and Government Agency rate).  £249.50 + VAT (Industry rate), per delegate 

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Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.

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Student discount: We offer a 35% discount on all of our online events/workshops on condition of payment by card and a valid University email address.

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Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information. 

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Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card. ​The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.