The CAMS-FCI (Advanced CAMS-Financial Crimes Investigations) exam is designed for compliance professionals and financial crime investigators who need to demonstrate advanced expertise in complex financial crime investigations. This credential, offered by ACAMS, validates your ability to lead investigations, apply sophisticated typology knowledge, and manage governance frameworks in financial crimes units. This page outlines the exam structure, core topics, and practical preparation strategies to help you study effectively and approach the test with confidence.
Use this topic map to guide your study for ACAMS CAMS-FCI (Advanced CAMS-Financial Crimes Investigations) within the Advanced Financial Crimes Investigations path.
The CAMS-FCI exam uses multiple-choice and scenario-based items to assess both theoretical knowledge and applied judgment in real-world financial crime contexts. Questions progress in difficulty and emphasize decision-making over rote recall.
Questions increase in complexity as you progress, reflecting the advanced nature of the CAMS-FCI credential and the real-world complexity of modern financial crime investigations.
An efficient study routine maps each topic to weekly milestones, allowing you to build depth progressively. Begin by reviewing foundational concepts, then move to scenario analysis and integrated case studies. Allocate more study time to areas where you have less hands-on experience.
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Leading Complex Investigations and Financial Crime Typologies Intermediate typically account for approximately 40-50% of exam content combined, reflecting the exam's focus on practical investigation skills and pattern recognition. Reporting Suspicious Activity and Governance topics represent the remaining content and are equally important for comprehensive exam success.
In practice, Governance establishes the unit's framework and resource allocation; Leading Complex Investigations applies methodology to a specific case; Financial Crime Typologies Intermediate helps you recognize suspicious patterns; and Reporting Suspicious Activity ensures proper documentation and regulatory filing. Understanding these connections helps you answer scenario-based questions more effectively because they often test your ability to apply multiple concepts to a single case.
While the exam is designed for professionals with investigation experience, thorough study of the four core topics and practice scenarios can compensate for limited field exposure. Candidates with 2+ years of compliance or investigation background typically find the exam more intuitive, but focused preparation is essential regardless of experience level.
Many candidates misidentify the primary goal of an investigation (e.g., confusing investigation scope with reporting requirements), overlook governance constraints when recommending actions, or fail to distinguish between similar typologies. Careful reading of scenario details and practice with explanations helps avoid these pitfalls.
Review high-difficulty scenario questions and any topics where your practice test score fell below 75%. Spend time understanding why you selected incorrect answers rather than re-reading entire sections. Take one final timed practice test to confirm pacing and identify any remaining weak areas.
An investigator is reviewing an alert for unusual activity. System scanning detected a text string within a company customer's account transactions that indicates the account may have been used for a drug or drug paraphernalia purchase Based on the KYC profile, the investigator determines the customer's company name and business type are marketed as a gardening supplies company. The investigator reviews the account activity and notes an online purchase transaction that leads the investigator to a website that sells various strains of marijuan
a. Additional account review detects cash deposits into the account at the branch teller lines, so the investigator reaches out to the teller staff regarding the transactions. The teller staff member reports that the business customers have frequently deposited cash in lower amounts. The teller, without prompting, adds that one of the transactors would occasionally smell of a distinct scent of marijuana smoke.
Which are the best next steps for the investigator to take? (Select Three.)
The best next steps for the investigator to take are:
A . Review the customer's transaction history. This can help the investigator identify any patterns or anomalies in the customer's account activity, such as changes in transaction volume, frequency, amount, source, destination, purpose, etc. The investigator can also compare the customer's transaction history with their KYC profile and risk rating to assess if there are any discrepancies or inconsistencies.
C . Check internal KYC information. This can help the investigator verify the customer's identity, business nature, ownership structure, expected activity, source of funds, etc. The investigator can also update or enhance the customer's KYC information based on any new or relevant information obtained from other sources.
E Conduct adverse media and open-source searches on the customer's background. This can help the investigator find out if there is any negative or adverse information about the customer in public data sources, such as news articles, social media posts, blogs, forums, etc. Adverse media and open-source searches can also provide additional context and insight into the customer's reputation, behavior, associations, etc. The other options are incorrect because:
B . Request information from the internet service provider who hosts the website is not feasible, as it may require a legal process or a court order to obtain such information. Moreover, the internet service provider may not have or disclose any useful information about the website or its owner.
D . Research other customer accounts for transactions to the same website is not relevant, as it may not provide any meaningful information about the customer under investigation. Furthermore, it may violate the privacy and confidentiality of other customers who are not related to the investigation.
F . Identify if the customer has opened accounts in an urban city area is not helpful, as it may not have any bearing on the customer's involvement in a drug or drug paraphernalia purchase. Additionally, it may not be possible to access or verify such information without the customer's consent or authorization.
Advanced CAMS-FCI Certification | ACAMS, Section 2: Investigating Financial Crimes, page 11
Leading Complex Investigations Certificate | ACAMS, Module 3: Conducting Research and Analysis, page 6
Adverse Media Screening - Using AI to Mitigate Risk
Legal requirements for adverse media screening - Thomson Reuters
Electronic client due diligence | Ethics helpsheets | ICAEW
6AMLD & FATF: Where Adverse Media Screening Fits In
Free Adverse Media Check | NameScan
Law enforcement (LE) suspects human trafficking to occur during a major spotting event. LE officers asked several financial institutions (FIs) to monitor financial transactions occurring before, during, and after the event.
An investigator identified a pattern linked to a business. The business* account received multiple even dollar deposits between midnight and 4:00 AM. They occurred each day for several days prior to the date of the sporting event. Also, large cash deposits, typically between 2,000 USD and 3.000 USD. made by a person to the business' account occurred in many branches in the days alter the sports event.
There was little information about the company. The company did not have any history of employee payroll expenses or paying taxes. Expenses from the business account included air travel and hotel expenses. Searches about the person making cash deposits showed little. An online social media platform webpage with the individual's name showed ads for dates" and "companionship."
Which fact should not be included in (he SAR/STR narrative?
The fact that should not be included in the SAR/STR narrative is the request by law enforcement (D). This is because the request by law enforcement is confidential and should not be disclosed to the customer or anyone else who is not authorized to know it. According to the ACAMS Advanced Financial Crimes Investigations Certification Study Guide1, ''the FI should not include any reference to the LE request in the SAR/STR narrative, as this could compromise the LE investigation or alert the customer of the suspicion'' (p. 35). The FI should also not inform the customer of the LE request or delay filing the SAR/STR because of it.
The other facts should be included in the SAR/STR narrative, as they are relevant and indicative of human trafficking money laundering. The air travel and hotel expenses (A) show that the customer is involved in moving people across different locations, which could be a sign of human smuggling or trafficking. The time of the cash deposits (B) shows that the customer is receiving cash payments during unusual hours, which could be a sign of illicit activities or services. The sporting event shows that the customer is exploiting a high-demand situation for their business, which could be a sign of opportunistic or organized crime.
A bank's transaction surveillance system triggers an alert for a deposit of 250.000 USO into a client's account. According to the bank's KYC information, the client works for a financial advisory firm, and earns approximately 100,000 USD per year. Which actions should be taken? (Select Three.)
File the suspicious transaction immediately to the financial intelligence unit.
According to the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) Manual , 6th edition, if a bank's transaction surveillance system triggers an alert for a deposit of 250.000 USD into a client's account, the bank should take the following actions:
Request information and documentation from the client on the background of the transaction (CAMS Manual, 6th edition, page 46).
Contact the client advisor to learn if he has any insight on the transaction background (CAMS Manual, 6th edition, page 47).
Review the transaction background in the bank's transaction platform (CAMS Manual, 6th edition, page 47).
Discarding the alert as a false positive hit and reviewing the alert if the deposit is made in cash should not be done.
The bank should request additional information and documentation from the client to better understand the nature of the transaction. Additionally, the bank should reach out to the client advisor to learn if they have any insight on the transaction background. Finally, the bank should review the transaction background in the bank's transaction platform to determine if any additional alerts or anomalies are present. (CAMS Manual, 6th Edition, Pages 117-118)
A retail bank prepares a yearly AML risk assessment. Which inherent risk factor is likely the most relevant?
Retail banks typically have a high inherent risk of money laundering due to their provision of cash services. This is because cash is a preferred medium of exchange for criminals and terrorists, and retail banks provide a convenient way for them to move large sums of money without detection. Retail banks are also vulnerable to money laundering through the use of false identities and other deceptive practices. (CAMS Manual, 6th Edition, Page 8).
Which most likely indicates that a business email compromise attack has occurred?
When writing or reviewing a SAR/STR, it is important to ensure that the narrative is kept to the point; easy to read; and addresses the who, what, when, where, why, and how. This is because the narrative is the most crucial part of the SAR/STR, as it provides a clear and concise summary of the suspicious activity or transaction that triggered the report. The narrative should include all the relevant information that would help law enforcement or regulators to understand the nature and context of the activity or transaction, such as123:
The who: The names, addresses, account numbers, and other identifying information of the parties involved in the activity or transaction, such as customers, beneficiaries, intermediaries, or third parties.
The what: The type, amount, frequency, and purpose of the activity or transaction, such as cash deposits, wire transfers, check payments, or purchases of goods or services.
The when: The date, time, and duration of the activity or transaction, and whether it was a one-time occurrence or part of a pattern or trend.
The where: The location or channel of the activity or transaction, such as branches, ATMs, online platforms, or mobile applications.
The why: The reason or rationale for the activity or transaction, and why it was considered suspicious or unusual based on the customer's profile, behavior, or expected activity.
The how: The method or mechanism of the activity or transaction, such as cash, check, debit card, credit card, cryptocurrency, or prepaid card.
How to write the perfect ''Suspicious Activity Reports'' (SAR)? | i-AML
Writing for Prosecution: Best Practices For Composing SAR Narratives That Assist Prosecutors | ACAMS
SAR Writing Examples and Proper Formatting: Write for Your Reader - Alessa
