Merchant Risk Lead

About the role

The Merchant Risk Lead will support the Head of Fraud Investigation & Risk Recovery in protecting the platform and its users by assessing, monitoring, and mitigating merchant-related risks across the merchant lifecycle. The role will lead merchant risk monitoring and investigations, develop data-driven risk strategies and controls, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen fraud prevention while supporting business growth.

You'll be working on:

• Lead merchant risk monitoring across the merchant lifecycle, analyzing transactions and activities to identify suspicious patterns, emerging threats, and potential control gaps.
• Lead investigations into suspected merchant-related fraud and high-risk activities, including online gambling and account takeover (ATO), ensuring timely and thorough evidence gathering, analysis, documentation, and escalation.
• Develop and improve merchant risk policies, strategies, and controls based on transaction analysis, investigation findings, and emerging risk trends.
• Develop and enhance data-driven risk models, dashboards, and automated workflows to improve risk detection, monitoring, and investigation efficiency while balancing risk mitigation with business growth.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Legal, Operations, and other relevant stakeholders to assess merchant risks, coordinate investigation responses, and implement or update risk controls.
• Monitor key risk indicators (KRIs) and performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of merchant risk controls and investigation efforts, and recommend improvements.
• Coordinate with relevant external partners, including fraud detection service providers and law enforcement agencies where required, to support investigations and fraud prevention.
• Provide guidance to internal stakeholders on merchant risk identification, fraud prevention, investigation procedures, and escalation practices.
• Prepare reports and presentations for senior management and relevant stakeholders on merchant risk exposure, investigation findings, trends, and recommended actions.
• Stay informed about industry trends, regulatory developments, and emerging merchant fraud risks to improve risk management and investigation capabilities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Finance, Data Science, Business Administration, Criminology, or a related field.
• 6–8 years of experience in fraud investigation, risk management, or a related field, with relevant experience in merchant risk monitoring or merchant-related fraud investigations.
• Demonstrated leadership in driving risk or fraud investigation initiatives and coordinating stakeholders to implement risk mitigation actions.
• Strong understanding of fraud detection and investigation methodologies, including transaction monitoring, evidence gathering, case analysis, and escalation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify suspicious patterns, and translate findings into actionable risk controls.
• Proficiency in analytical and fraud detection tools and systems, with experience developing or improving risk models, dashboards, or automated monitoring workflows.
• Ability to develop and evaluate risk policies, strategies, and controls while considering their impact on merchant operations and business growth.
• Strong communication, coordination, and presentation skills, with the ability to explain risk findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple investigations, priorities, and stakeholders effectively.
• Professional certifications in fraud examination or related fields, such as CFE or CAMS, are advantageous.