Fraud and cybercrime continue to rise explosively: why continuous training is crucial for financial professionals

What makes this issue even more urgent is that phishing has now become a societal phenomenon: absolutely everyone is confronted with it. The line between private and professional life is fading, which only increases the risks for financial institutions.

In this context, training is no longer a luxury but a strategic necessity. Banks are already making significant efforts, yet they primarily want to further reduce the roughly 25% of fraud attempts that currently go undetected or unrecovered. This requires not only technological defence, but also well‑trained employees across sectors who can quickly and accurately identify warning signs.

At Febelfin Academy, we witness it every day: the demand for specialised training in fraud and cybersecurity is rising significantly. The training offering evolves accordingly, from foundational insights to advanced expert programmes.

A training offer that evolves alongside the threat

The demand for training in digital fraud and cybersecurity is growing rapidly. Unsurprisingly, the most popular modules focus on digital fraud, phishing, smishing, and vishing. Employees want to learn how to detect fraud, better support customers, and assess risks more quickly.

Other types of fraud also remain relevant, including fraud in credit files, insurance fraud, documentary fraud in an AML context, and fraud involving vulnerable clients, among others. In addition, there is an increasing focus on specialized learning paths, such as AML programs on cybercrime in money laundering schemes, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification, and cybersecurity programs for risk managers and IT profiles.

How do you decide which fraud topics should be prioritized?

According to Martin Haegheman, Senior Learning Advisor & Development at Febelfin Academy, it all starts with one key question: “What does the sector need most today?”
The answer is rarely theoretical. Martin explains:

We closely monitor trends, but the real insights come from our instructors, L&D experts, compliance officers, risk managers, and security specialists. They combine hands-on experience with up-to-date data. That combination gives us a clear view of where the greatest risks lie.

Fraud prevention, however, remains a game of cat and mouse. While banks make enormous investments in detection, monitoring and prevention, fraudsters constantly shift their tactics. Moreover, the sector is not alone: banks are only one part of a much broader ecosystem that includes telecom operators, payment platforms, regulators, police… and social media platforms.

The importance of collaboration was also highlighted at Febelfin Connect on April 1th. Michael Anseeuw, CEO of BNP Paribas Fortis, captured it perfectly: “Fighting fraud: beyond innovation, collaboration is a must.”
His message reinforces what we see every day: technological innovation is critical, but without well‑trained employees and strong knowledge sharing, the sector remains vulnerable.

Our training courses are designed for the financial sector, fully aligned with the reality in which employees operate today. No generic modules, but programs led by experts who are active in the field every day.

Partnerships with organizations such as I-Force, ACFE (IMF), Solvay Lifelong Learning, and Everest Law provide a strong knowledge foundation. The focus is always on practical application: clear language, relatable case studies, and tools that participants can immediately use in customer interactions, internal processes, or risk analysis.

Fraud and cybersecurity: no longer operational, but strategic

Where cybersecurity used to be mainly an IT topic, it is now firmly on the agenda of boards and executive teams. In the executive program Masterclass Board of Directors, one thing stands out immediately: board members not only want to understand what is happening, but above all how to organize their governance around cyber and fraud in a strategic and sound way.

We see a clear increase in maturity, says Martin Haegheman. Boards want to take on their role, understand KPIs, and know which questions to ask. The time when cybercrime was just a technical issue is definitively over.

Looking ahead: new training programs in development

The world of fraud never stands still, and neither do we. Experts are currently developing new learning paths focused on:

• AI-driven fraud and deepfakes, which are becoming increasingly difficult to detect
• Cross-border fraud schemes, aligned with international criminal networks
• Board-level and executive programs focused on strategic risk management, accountability, and governance in cyber and fraud

The goal remains the same: to anticipate what will matter tomorrow.

What participants tell us most often

The feedback on our training programs is remarkably consistent:

This really helps me understand and apply it immediately.

Participants especially value the combination of clarity, relevance, and concrete real-life examples. The training closely aligns with their day-to-day reality and that is exactly what is needed in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Conclusion: knowledge as the first line of defense

The complexity of fraud and cybercrime is increasing, but it does not have to paralyze the financial sector. With the right knowledge, skills, and governance, institutions can not only protect themselves but also better support their customers.
Febelfin Academy aims to be a trusted partner in this, by sharing expertise, strengthening professionals, and helping future-proof the sector.