Pursuing Growth: My Journey from Fraud Prevention to Payments Compliance in the UK

By Chinazaekperem Peace Anozie

At 28 years old, my career has already taken me across countries and industries, from my beginnings as a Fraud & Compliance Specialist to my current role in the UK’s fintech sector as a Payments Compliance Specialist.

My journey has been defined by a passion for safeguarding businesses, ensuring regulatory compliance, and using data analysis to drive decisions. This is the story of my professional growth, the challenges I’ve overcome, and the opportunities that led me to one of the world’s most dynamic financial hubs.

Starting my career in fraud prevention, I quickly learned the importance of vigilance in the financial services sector. My primary role was to identify, investigate, and mitigate the risks of financial crimes. These early experiences exposed me to the critical role that compliance plays in maintaining business integrity and protecting customer trust. From tracking suspicious activities to implementing fraud detection systems, I gained a deep understanding of anti-money laundering (AML) practices and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations. My work helped reduce fraud risks, secure company assets, and build a foundation of trust with clients.

As my career progressed, so did my ambitions. I decided to take the leap and relocate to the United Kingdom—a global financial hub where the opportunities in fintech and compliance were endless. I transitioned into the role of a Payments Compliance Specialist, which opened my eyes to the complexity of global payment systems and their regulatory frameworks. My focus shifted to ensuring that payment platforms complied with both international and national regulations, including the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS).

The UK’s fast-paced regulatory environment offered me a chance to dive deeper into payments compliance. Working with cross-functional teams, I ensured that payment systems were secure, efficient, and adhered to the evolving regulatory standards. This role gave me a broader perspective on the global financial ecosystem and the intricate measures necessary to keep payments safe in an increasingly digital world.

Alongside my work in compliance, I also developed expertise as a Data Analyst. This skillset has proven invaluable, particularly in fraud prevention. By using data analysis techniques such as predictive modeling and trend analysis, I was able to spot emerging patterns of suspicious activity, ensuring potential issues were addressed before they became full-blown crises. Data-driven decision-making has been at the core of my approach, helping businesses move from reactive to proactive strategies in fraud prevention.

While I had built a solid foundation in my home country, I knew that relocating to the UK would open the door to even greater challenges and growth. The UK’s fintech sector is a global leader, constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation, particularly in fraud prevention and compliance. The opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams and learn from some of the brightest minds in the industry was one I could not pass up.

The UK offers not only a rich pool of talent but also a wealth of professional development opportunities. Industry certifications, conferences, and networking events allow professionals to stay on top of emerging trends, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence in fintech. I’m eager to leverage these opportunities to deepen my understanding of regulatory frameworks, enhance my technical skills, and continue my professional development.

As I look ahead, my vision is clear. I want to evolve into a leader in fraud and compliance management, focusing on the integration of data analytics and emerging technologies. The world of financial crime is becoming more sophisticated, and traditional fraud prevention methods are no longer sufficient. By staying ahead of industry trends and harnessing the power of data, I aim to drive innovation in risk management.

The UK is the perfect place to bring these ambitions to life. It’s a country that values innovation, continuous learning, and collaboration. As I continue my career in this dynamic and rapidly evolving industry, I am excited about the impact I can make in shaping the future of fraud prevention and payments compliance.