Wynand Scheepers

 am a highly motivated, detail-oriented individual with 13 years of specialized criminal investigation experience, the latter two of which focused on financial crime (fraud, corruption, tax evasion, money laundering and proliferation among others) within the financial services industry. As a competent financial analyst, I am able to identify and investigate suspicious transactions, conduct enhanced client due diligence and compile and present quality reports on findings and recommendations to executive management relating to client desirability and risk appetite relating to high-profile persons/entities of interest. Utilizing my expertise in AML/CFT regulations and industry best practices, I confidently and diligently apply myself towards managing organizational risks, -reputation and -compliance in combatting financial crime. Together with my partner, I also manage a start-up digital media marketing company, Thinkverse (Pty) Ltd, a passion project which focuses on providing local start-up companies and SMMEs with a range of services from organizational development solutions, web development and hosting, brand development and social media marketing support. For recreation and leisure, I enjoy spending quality time with my loved ones, doing physical exercise, DIY home improvement and gardening or exploring nature. I am seeking a position which allows me to utilize my existing expertise towards the achievement of organizational vision and objectives while offering me opportunity for strategic growth and development. I offer my unique experience, perspective and willingness to invest and participate in the expansion and optimization of the organization in a committed, responsible and effective manner.

FirstRand Group

FNB Portside Tower, Cape Town

Financial Crime Investigation Unit – POI FCIU Analyst

Aug 2021 – Aug 2023

Responsibilities:

As part of FirstRand’s POI team, I was tasked with monitoring internal systems and adverse media in order to identify suspicious transactions and allegations of financial crime  involving banked clients and related parties. Using advanced data analytic techniques and software (including AI), I would perform detailed analysis of financial transactions and activities, business interests and related parties to identify potential risks (such as credit exposure-,  reputational- and others) posed to the bank. Detailed reports on findings and identified risks/entrenchment would be compiled and presented to the bank’s executive stakeholders, along with recommendations on client desirability for further handling (in line with industry and internal policies) duly made. Following management’s decision on the bank’s appetite for risk and continuation of the  business relationship with impacted clients, I would liaise with other departments to ensure these decisions were correctly actioned (e.g. that the client be engaged and informed that the bank has exercised its right to terminate the banking relationship, that holds are placed or accounts closed and that off-boarding be completed, banking indicators and profiles updated, reports filed with the FIC and that all applicable regulations are complied with.

Notable Achievements:

-          Successfully investigated several high profile cases related to corruption and development grant fraud involving the National Lotteries Commission, as well as the international Gold Mafia smuggling and money-laundering syndicate.

-          Served on two committees during my tenure, namely as FirstRand Wellness Ambassador and member of Purple Forum (an LGBTQ+ outreach society creating awareness on social issues,  and volunteering in local communities.

Reason for leaving:

I am seeking to further challenge and develop myself in a more senior position and take on greater responsibilities within the field of financial crime analysis. I wish to expand on my current understanding and perspective of the processes and procedures for identifying and combatting financial crime by exploring alternative opportunities and believe that the insight gained from my experience with FirstRand should prove beneficial to other institutions. Presently, FirstRand’s FCIU team consists of a limited pool of analysts, with the prospects for advancing to senior analyst level within our established team being similarly limited.

South African Police Services

Western Cape Provincial Head Office, Cape Town

Human Resource and Life Cycle Management – Discipline     Management

Sub-section Commander

Nov 2020 – July 2021

Responsibilities:

I was responsible for managing the investigation and adjudication process for allegations of serious misconduct by members of the SAPS under both the SAPS and Civil Servants Acts with the Western Cape Province. I facilitated the process of appointing and assigning cases to investigating officers as well as the appointment of chairpersons in disciplinary hearings,  ensuring investigations were timeously and thoroughly conducted and fairly adjudicated, as well as that all relevant stakeholders (including union representatives and members of the public) were kept informed throughout the process. My department continually reported to senior management within the SAPS, as well as members of government and handled relevant Questions in Parliament, in addition to working closely with various other departments nationally on improving service delivery and morale within the Service and the adherence to strategic development targets, as outlined by the National Commissioner of Police. We ensured the relevant implementation of sanctions where applicable and also conducted internal performance evaluation and development of staff.         

Reason for leaving the organization

I was approached and accepted an offer of employment with FirstRand following an internal        recommendation. My interest in the combatting of crime through the enforcement of legislation and the    opportunity to explore private sector employment with greater opportunity for vertical growth made sense.      

South African Police Services    

Rondebosch SAPS – Western Cape   

Strategic Interventions Specialist   

Nov 2016 – Nov 2020

Responsibilities:

During my tenure as designated member of an interprovincial project team convened by the National Head Office, I served in various capacities and roles across the station’s departments. Rondebosch SAPS had been identified as one of ten pilot stations across the country towards implementation and assessment of initiatives aimed at improving the processes and procedures for combatting crime. My duties involved among others training members on improvements made in the Information & Systems Management BI (a program developed for processing historical crime statistics, identifying patterns and emerging trends towards the development of a robust, predictive model to optimize the allocation of financial, human and logistical resources by the National Head Office. Notable Achievements  -Implemented an integrated discipline management monitoring and reporting system within the Western Cape Province and established best practices nationally.

Notable Achievements:

Received commendation from the National Commissioner of Police for the work done in improving national performance, processes and workflow though the implementation of strategic interventions within the Visible Policing and Criminal Investigations Division as well as Administrative Support Services (Human Resource Management, Procurement and Logistic Management, Vehicle Fleet Management. Our Business Intelligence system was rolled out nationally. Served briefly as Union Representative in the negotiation of salary increases.

Reason for transferring to Western Cape Provincial Head Office:

Having originally taken up employment within the SAPS at the Gauteng Provincial Head Office in March of  2010 before accepting the offer to serve on the strategic development pilot program, I transferred to the Western Cape Provincial Head Office following conclusion of the program in  November of 2020

Attained Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioural Sciences (Humanities) Double Majored in Industrial Psychology and Labour Relations Management 2013-2015 North West University (Vaal Campus) Notable Achievements      Attained distinctions in 12 modules and was honoured for achieving a perfect score in the Philosophical Study of Man and Society Received the prestigious international Golden Key Award and Membership in recognition of graduating within the top 3% of students globally. Elected to serve as member of the local Student Representative Council.