How AI is Tackling Financial Crime

In this episode of FinTech Focus TV, Toby welcomes Riccardo Brizzi, Chief Customer Officer at Feedzai, to unpack one of the most compelling intersections in FinTech today: artificial intelligence and financial crime prevention. Broadcasting from London, their conversation dives deep into Riccardo’s remarkable journey from chemical engineering into FinTech leadership, the culture that defines Feedzai, and the critical role advanced AI plays in combating financial fraud across global institutions.

This insightful discussion is not only a must-listen for those exploring FinTech jobs in London but also an important guide for companies, especially those partnered with FinTech recruitment agencies, looking to secure talent capable of driving complex, purpose-driven missions.

Riccardo Brizzi’s Route into AI-Powered Innovation

Riccardo’s career is a testament to the diverse routes into FinTech careers. Starting as a chemical engineer before moving into software delivery for giants like Oracle and SAP, Riccardo eventually pivoted into advisory roles. His experiences led him into the heart of the FinTech revolution at Feedzai. Initially brought in as an advisor, Riccardo impressed so much that the company offered him a permanent leadership role—without the traditional interview process. This unconventional route highlights the dynamic and experience-led nature of FinTech recruitment, where proven delivery and strategic insight often outweigh conventional hiring paths.

His story also demonstrates how FinTech recruiters are increasingly seeking individuals with multidisciplinary backgrounds. Feedzai’s approach illustrates that successful FinTech jobs don’t always require starting in finance or tech—what matters is value, delivery, and the ability to adapt and innovate.

FinTech Recruitment and the Power of Purpose

Riccardo’s decision to join Feedzai was not driven by necessity but by purpose. Feedzai’s mission—to fight financial crime and protect over a billion people globally—resonated deeply. The company’s use of AI predates the current hype, showcasing a track record of innovation grounded in real-world applications. Riccardo was drawn to the ability to make a meaningful impact and to be, as one colleague put it when explaining their job to their child, “like Batman”—fighting financial crime, just without the cape.

For those seeking FinTech jobs that deliver social value and technological challenge, Feedzai represents a standout example. This convergence of meaningful mission and innovative technology is a hallmark of top FinTech jobs in London, and firms like Feedzai are at the forefront of that evolution.

Cyber Security Recruitment: Feedzai’s Battle Against Fraud

One of the major themes discussed is the increasing sophistication of financial crime. With the rise of AI-powered criminal networks, such as those using Ghost GPT to share and scale fraudulent activities, the need for advanced cybersecurity recruitment has never been greater. Feedzai is on the frontlines of this battle, utilising a suite of AI technologies to detect fraud, flag suspicious behaviour, and prevent transactions from going through when they raise red flags.

The stakes in cybersecurity recruitment are high. Companies need talent that understands not only the technology but also the psychology of fraud and deception. As Riccardo explains, Feedzai’s platform monitors everything from login patterns to behavioural cues like hesitation when entering passwords. These sophisticated tools require equally sophisticated minds—highlighting a growing demand for specialised IT risk recruitment within the FinTech sector.

The Future of AI in FinTech Jobs

As AI continues to disrupt financial services, Riccardo and Toby discuss the dual narrative around its potential and its risks. On one hand, AI offers unprecedented efficiency and fraud detection capabilities. On the other, there are concerns about trust, hallucinations in generative AI, and overreliance on machine judgement.

To address this, Feedzai has developed its Trust Framework—ensuring transparency, resilience, and security in every AI model they deploy. Their R&D team regularly publishes in leading journals like Nature and registers patents that push the boundaries of what’s possible. This not only boosts internal innovation but positions Feedzai as a prime destination for candidates seeking FinTech careers rooted in science, trust, and impact.

For FinTech recruiters, understanding the nuances of AI and its role in financial services is critical. Candidates looking for FinTech jobs increasingly want to know how their prospective employer handles AI risk, innovation, and trust. Feedzai sets the standard for ethical, scalable AI applications in FinTech.

FinTech Recruitment Agencies and Cultural Fit

Another major thread in the conversation is culture. Riccardo attributes much of Feedzai’s success to its strong, supportive culture—a culture free of egos, driven by shared purpose, and fuelled by innovation. With over 660 employees and ambitions to grow to 500 million in revenue, Feedzai is scaling fast. But unlike many hyper-growth firms, it does so with a clear-eyed focus on sustainability: the company is profitable, carries no debt, and continues to invest heavily in R&D.

This kind of culture is exactly what top FinTech recruitment agencies look for when matching candidates with opportunities. It’s not just about technical skills; cultural alignment and long-term vision are essential. Feedzai’s emphasis on employee support, transparent leadership, and meaningful mission makes it a standout destination for professionals pursuing FinTech jobs in London and beyond.

IT Risk Recruitment in a Constantly Evolving Threat Landscape

One of the most powerful insights from the episode is that fighting fraud is not a one-and-done task—it’s a constantly evolving process. Criminals are becoming more innovative, leveraging AI to mimic voices, scrape sensitive information from the web, and exploit psychological vulnerabilities through social engineering. 

Riccardo underscores how Feedzai’s models are in a state of constant evolution. The company uses real-time data and behavioural analytics to identify anomalies—from the country of origin of a transaction to the specific keystrokes of a user. When a fraudulent pattern is detected, the system can immediately flag and block the transaction, alerting the user with timely prompts.

This level of innovation demands exceptional talent—particularly in IT risk recruitment. As financial services grow more complex and interlinked, companies like Feedzai need data scientists, behavioural analysts, and engineers who can think like both an innovator and a criminal. The demand for these roles is growing, and FinTech recruiters must remain proactive in sourcing, educating, and placing the right talent.

The Importance of Data in FinTech Careers

A central theme in the conversation is the role of data. Riccardo points out that AI is only as good as the data it’s built on. Feedzai’s ability to process billions of data points across the entire customer lifecycle—from account opening to anti-money laundering—gives it a competitive edge. Through its new product, Feedzai IQ, the company is helping clients access a powerful database of known threats, dodgy IP addresses, and flagged devices, allowing new customers to benefit from the knowledge of the many.

This kind of data intelligence is critical for anyone looking to build a successful FinTech career. Professionals who understand how to leverage data, interpret trends, and apply insights will be in high demand. And for FinTech recruitment agencies, the ability to assess a candidate’s data literacy is now as important as assessing their technical skills.

A Scalable Platform with Global Impact

As Riccardo explains, one of Feedzai’s biggest differentiators is its platform approach. Rather than offering siloed solutions, Feedzai integrates account opening, transaction monitoring, and AML into one seamless flow. This creates multiple "kill points" along the customer journey—giving clients more opportunities to detect and stop fraud.

For FinTech recruiters, this is a compelling value proposition to share with candidates. Working at a platform company like Feedzai means being exposed to a wide range of challenges and technologies. It also means your work contributes to a mission with global impact. Feedzai processes $8 trillion in payments annually and is now in partnership with MasterCard, which processes $9.5 trillion—together forming one of the most powerful alliances in the financial crime prevention landscape.

What’s Next for Feedzai and FinTech Recruitment

Looking ahead, Feedzai’s roadmap includes exciting product launches like Scam Check, ongoing work with MasterCard, and a soon-to-be-announced acquisition that will further expand its capabilities. Riccardo also highlights the importance of staying agile and avoiding the complacency that has brought down even the biggest players in the space.

For those exploring FinTech jobs or considering a shift within the industry, now is the time to engage. The demand for cyber security recruitment and IT risk professionals is growing. Feedzai and similar firms are actively hiring, with careers pages ready to welcome the next wave of FinTech professionals.

FinTech Careers Shaped by Innovation and Impact

Riccardo Brizzi’s conversation with Toby provides a front-row seat to the future of FinTech careers. Whether you're a candidate looking for FinTech jobs in London, a FinTech recruiter trying to match top talent with mission-led firms, or a business seeking advice from FinTech recruitment agencies, this episode illustrates exactly what makes the sector so dynamic.

At its heart, FinTech is about solving real problems with cutting-edge technology—and doing so with trust, resilience, and purpose. Feedzai exemplifies these values, and as the sector continues to evolve, so too will the opportunities for those ready to embrace the challenge.

Harrington Starr is a specialist FinTech recruitment agency connecting top talent with leading businesses across the UK, US, and beyond. Whether you're hiring for FinTech jobs in AI, engineering, cyber security recruitment, or IT risk recruitment, our expert FinTech recruiters have the network and insight to deliver.

For professionals exploring new opportunities, we offer access to some of the most exciting FinTech jobs in London and globally. And for businesses scaling fast—like Feedzai—we’re the trusted partner powering growth through talent.