The ACAMS Southern California Chapter hosted another successful
learning event in June 2011 at the Wescom Credit Union facility in
Anaheim, California. The chapter's third event of 2011, which attracted
more than ninety attendees, was a deep-dive into the world of Internet
Investigations. The event was an eye-opening look into the most
current research techniques you need to know to be more efficient in
your AML investigations.
Jane Lee of Banker's Toolbox
introduced the topic by
providing a high level presentation
on how to use the Internet
in a more effective way as an
open source/competitive intelligence
tool. She also reiterated
the importance and applicability
of effective Internet research in
customer due diligence, a customer identification program, and generally,
a financial institution's BSA/AML compliance program.
Michele Stuart, owner and president of
JAG Investigations, Inc., then led the
attendees through a captivating series
of Internet profiling and open source
investigation scenarios. She provided
the audience with advanced techniques
to mine data using different search tools
to uncover hidden information. She
continued her fascinating presentation
by discussing strategies for filtering,
analyzing, and organizing research data in areas including public
records, Internet open sources, social networking sites and the
'Invisible Web.'
Ms. Stuart, a licensed private investigator of twenty years, has
provided numerous presentations to law enforcement agencies
throughout the United States including attendees from divisions of
Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals, FBI, Department of Justice, Tribal
Nations, Attorney General's Office and numerous other levels of both
State and Federal agencies. In addition, as a recognized expert in her
field, she has spoken for the finance and insurance industries.
Handouts from the Internet Investigations event can be uploaded
from the ACAMS Southern California Chapter webpage — http://www.acams.org/southern-california-chapter/.
On August 18, 2011, the chapter will host the Southern California AML
Forum Mixer in Irvine, California. Dennis Lormel, senior consultant of
DML Associates, LLC, will serve as the keynote speaker for the event,
which will be held the evening of the West Coast AML Forum conference.
Mr. Lormel, a retired FBI special agent of 28 years, has amassed
a distinguished career, which includes testifying before numerous
congressional committees, preparation of testimony for senior FBI
executives and serving as subject-matter expert by print and broadcast
media. GlobalVision Systems will serve as sponsor of the event.
The chapter will conclude its 2011 event schedule in December with
an update by the Drug Enforcement Administration-Los Angeles Field
Office on narcotics laundering and, specifically, the impact of Mexican
drug wars on Southern California. A holiday mixer will close out the
December learning event.
In other news, the chapter welcomes Chuck Taylor of City National
Bank as the co-chairman, Susan Wahba of Union Bank as the co-treasurer,
and Michael Meer of Wilshire State Bank as the co-communications
director.