Senior Manager – Fraud Investigation

MFL exists to Transform the Life of the Common Man by Improving Their Financial Wellbeing. That purpose rests on the trust of over 30,000 Muthootians and millions of customers across 3,845+ branches. The IVRC function protects that trust by detecting, investigating and containing fraud and serious irregularities, and by ensuring that findings translate into timely, fair and proportionate action.

About the Role
This role is created to strengthen the investigative capacity of the function. The incumbent will own the end to end management of fraud and irregularity cases from intake to closure, coordinate ground level investigation across the branch network, and serve as the designated second in command to the Head of IVRC. The role frees the Head to lead high impact, complex investigations on site while ensuring that the day-to-day case pipeline is delivered within TAT and to a consistent standard of quality.

Responsibilities
Case Investigation and Management
Take ownership of assigned fraud and serious irregularity cases: frame the scope of inquiry, define the investigation methodology and lead the inquiry to conclusion.
Gather, verify and preserve documentary evidence, records, system logs, CCTV, gold packet and pledge records, customer statements and staff statements in a manner that withstands scrutiny by the FRMC, the DA Team, auditors, the RBI and, where required, law enforcement.
Conduct interviews of staff, customers and third parties with fairness, discipline and respect for principles of natural justice.
Travel to branches and locations as required to conduct on site inquiry.
Draft clear, structured, evidence backed investigation reports with findings, quantification of loss, root cause analysis, accountability mapping and recommended action.

Coordination and Information Flow
Act as the central point of coordination between the Head of IVRC, Regional and Zonal Team Leads and Investigation Officers on the ground.
Collect, consolidate and disseminate case information, status updates and evidence required for appraisal to the FRMC and Senior Management.
Maintain the case tracker and MIS: case intake, allocation, status, ageing, TAT compliance, loss and recovery, and closure.

Reporting, Review and Approvals
Ensure 100% on time submission of investigation reports within prescribed TAT to Senior Management, the FRMC and the DA Team.
Route draft reports through the FRMC review process, incorporate observations and secure approvals.
Prepare periodic dashboards and case summaries for the Head of IVRC, the FRMC, the Risk Management Committee and the Board Audit Committee as required.
Support regulatory reporting obligations under the RBI Fraud Risk Management Directions, including timely inputs for FMR filings and inspection queries (including the ongoing ISE).

Operational Workflow and Escalations
Manage day to day fraud operational workflows: intake of alerts and complaints from the Early Warning System, branches, audit, HR and customers; triage; allocation; and follow through.
Handle investigation escalations and provide first line guidance to Investigation Officers on methodology, evidence standards and documentation.
Liaise with the DA Team on staff side action, with Legal on FIR, police complaint and recovery matters, and with Insurance on fidelity and other claims.

Second in Command
Deputies for the Head of IVRC in his absence, including representing the function before the FRMC and Senior Management.
Contribute to strengthening the investigation methodology, report templates, SOPs and the fraud risk containment framework.
Identify systemic control gaps emerging from cases and recommend preventive measures to Operations, Audit, IT and Risk.

Qualifications

Graduate in any discipline; postgraduate degree preferred.
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), CAIIB, LLB, CA or forensic accounting qualification is a strong advantage.
Experience Manager: 6 to 9 years;
Senior Manager: 9 to 14 years of relevant experience.
Background in fraud investigation, vigilance, internal audit, forensic services or risk containment within an NBFC, bank, gold loan company or a Big Four or specialist forensic practice.
Demonstrated experience in leading investigations end to end, including evidence handling, staff interviews and report drafting.
Working knowledge of RBI Fraud Risk Management Directions, KYC/AML requirements, gold loan operations and branch level controls is highly desirable.
Familiarity with the disciplinary process, principles of natural justice and the…