Head of Anti-Fraud

Skills

About the Role

You will lead the fraud prevention function, oversee complex investigations, and strengthen controls across payments, merchants, partners, and card-acquiring operations. You will manage anti-fraud rules and procedures, respond to scheme and acquirer requests, own chargeback performance, develop the Anti-Fraud team, and report fraud risk and control status to senior stakeholders.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of fraud prevention experience in payments, card acquiring, a PSP, EMI, or crypto
• At least 3 years of experience leading a fraud team or function
• Experience leading large-scale fraud investigations from detection through resolution
• Experience redesigning fraud controls and procedures after audits, scheme notices, or major incidents
• Experience handling acquirer RFIs, remediation plans, and scheme programme cases
• Knowledge of Visa VAMP, VIRP, TC40, dispute rules, Compelling Evidence 3.0, Order Insight, and RDR
• Knowledge of Mastercard ECP, EFM, GMAP, BRAM, GRIP, merchant monitoring programmes, SAFE, MATCH, and Ethoca alerts
• Knowledge of 3-D Secure and Strong Customer Authentication
• Experience owning a rules-based fraud engine, including velocity limits, device fingerprinting, BIN controls, and geo controls
• SQL proficiency
• Dashboard development using Metabase or a similar tool
• Experience analysing large transaction datasets
• Experience designing transaction-laundering and unauthorised-website detection
• Experience conducting fraud risk assessments using COSO or ACFE guidance
• Knowledge of AML escalation, SARs, sanctions screening, and AML controls
• Fluent written and spoken English

Responsibilities

• Lead complex fraud investigations involving linked accounts, card testing, mule activity, account takeover, scams, and merchant or partner collusion
• Set investigation standards, maintain case records, complete root-cause analysis, and preserve evidence
• Change rules, restrict or offboard merchants and partners, and escalate suspicion to Transaction Monitoring and the MLRO
• Own the anti-fraud rule set, including design, impact testing, approval, documentation, and effectiveness reviews
• Identify control weaknesses and redesign controls and procedures
• Maintain anti-fraud procedures and fraud risk assessments
• Build and operate AML alert and block rules on the anti-fraud platform
• Keep acquirer relationships and MIDs within Visa and Mastercard fraud and dispute thresholds
• Lead responses to Visa and Mastercard notices and programme identifications
• Respond to acquirer RFIs, agree remediation plans, and complete due-diligence questionnaires
• Own chargebacks and disputes, including representment, pre-arbitration, deadlines, and win rates
• Run merchant and partner integrity controls to detect unauthorised website use and transaction laundering
• Select and manage merchant monitoring and transaction-laundering detection providers
• Lead and develop Anti-Fraud specialists, analysts, and operations staff
• Report fraud losses, ratios, scheme exposure, incidents, and control status to leadership and the Board
• Maintain the incident register and close audit, QA, and compliance findings
• Partner with Product and Engineering to implement fraud controls before launches

Benefits

• Performance-based incentives
• 22 days annual leave
• 6 additional company days
• Bank holidays
• Health insurance
• Maternity and paternity leave support
• Flexible work schedule
• Remote work options
• Modern offices and co-working spaces
• Working equipment
• Professional development and training opportunities