Banking News – What happens when money moves in the shadows? How does financial fraud happen? How does money laundering exploit vulnerabilities in our financial systems? And, most importantly, what happens when people lose trust in the institutions meant to protect them?

These were the hard-hitting questions explored at an engaging and thought-provoking session delivered by Chooi Yew Tzen, Senior Vice President of Neurogine Sdn Bhd, to undergraduate students of GB30403: Current Issues in International and Offshore Banking, at the Labuan Faculty of International Finance, Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

Held in conjunction with Money Laundering Awareness Week, the session entitled “Follow the Money: Financial Fraud, Money Laundering, Vulnerabilities and the Loss of Trust” went beyond textbooks and theoretical discussions to bring the realities of financial crime directly into the classroom.

Through eight real-life practical examples, the undergraduates explored how financial fraud schemes operate, how money laundering takes place, where vulnerabilities emerge, and how seemingly ordinary financial transactions can become part of sophisticated criminal activities. But this was not just another classroom lecture. It was a wake-up call.

The session challenged students to think critically, question suspicious financial activities, recognize red flags, and understand that combating financial crime is everyone’s responsibility, not just the responsibility of banks, regulators, or law enforcement agencies.

Adding a powerful real-world dimension to the discussion were special video messages from ASP Jacklyn Justin, Head of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department at Labuan District Police Headquarters, sharing the law enforcement perspective on commercial crime and financial fraud, and Chan Kai Looong, who will be graduating from UMS after three years at the UMS Labuan International Campus this November, reinforcing the importance of awareness, responsibility, and vigilance among the next generation of professionals.

The session was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Ricky Chia Chee Jiun and Associate Professor Dr. Lee Hock Ann, whose commitment to connecting academic learning with real-world industry and professional insights provided a valuable platform for meaningful engagement.

In today’s increasingly digital and interconnected financial world, financial crime is evolving. Fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated. Money moves faster. Criminal networks exploit technology, human behavior, and weaknesses in financial systems.

That is precisely why the next generation of banking, finance, and business professionals must be equipped with more than technical knowledge. They need the courage to question, the discipline to verify, the awareness to recognize risks, and the integrity to do what is right.

Neurogine stated that it firmly believes financial technology innovation must go hand in hand with financial integrity, security, and trust. Technology can transform financial services, but trust is what sustains them. Neurogine is proud to contribute to the development of future finance professionals by bringing industry experience, practical insights, and real-world perspectives into the university environment.

To all the undergraduates, the message is clear: they are preparing to become the people who will shape the future of the financial industry. They are not merely preparing for their first job in banking and finance. Follow the money. Challenge what doesn’t look right. Protect the system. And never compromise on trust. Because when it comes to fighting financial crime, awareness is the first line of defense, and they can be part of the solution.

Neurogine expressed a big thank you to Associate Professor Geoffrey Tanakinjal, Dean of the Labuan Faculty of International Finance, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, as well as Dr. Ricky Chia Chee Jiun, Associate Professor Dr. Lee Hock Ann, ASP Jacklyn Justin, and Chan Kai Looong for making this meaningful knowledge-sharing initiative possible.