On October 15, 2024, a new Linux variant of the notorious FASTCash malware was uncovered, once again highlighting the vulnerabilities in global banking systems. This malware, attributed to North Korean threat actors, has been responsible for siphoning millions of dollars from ATMs worldwide by compromising interbank payment switches. The latest version targets Linux systems, allowing attackers to manipulate transaction messages and approve fraudulent cash withdrawals.

In a world where digital transformation is accelerating, the stakes for safeguarding critical infrastructure, government systems, and financial services have never been higher. These sectors are increasingly targeted by sophisticated payment fraud schemes and AI-powered cyberattacks, leaving them under immense pressure to shield their customers from threats.

With Latin America facing an unprecedented increase in claims for unrecognized credit and debit card transactions, banks and card issuers are directly feeling the impact of fraud and cyber-attacks that are growing more sophisticated by the day. Recent regulations have been implemented across Latin America to address a variety of payment fraud, including an unprecedented surge in claims of unrecognized transactions involving debit, credit and financing products.

The growing inter-connectedness of digital systems, combined with the alarming ingenuity of financial criminals, has led to a convergence between payment fraud, cybercrime, and AML. As financial transactions increasingly occur online and real-time payments have expanded to over seventy countries, cybercriminals are exploiting these trends by developing sophisticated schemes to target vulnerabilities in digital payment systems.

2023 repeated some familiar payment fraud trends from 2022.There were some shifts in the prevalence of different fraud types, according to data from Verifi. The persistence of phishing remains at the forefront, posing significant challenges for businesses and consumers. Notably, friendly fraud became the second most prevalent fraud seen in 2023.

For some, Black Friday conjures images of parasite-infected shoppers running amok in a mall. (Rotten Tomatoes gives the movie a 65% rating). For bargain hunters, it is a whirlwind of unbeatable deals and frenzied shopping sprees. Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the year’s biggest days for American merchants. The hype has crossed borders.

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, artificial intelligence is a two-sided coin. Fraud protection software, like INETCO BullzAI, harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to offer fraud protection against financial criminals and cyber attackers. Conversely, fraudsters can weaponize the same technology to steal funds. A prominent example of this connection is synthetic identity fraud. This payment fraud vector often employs AI and deepfakes.

Each year, the BC Tech Association celebrates the remarkable achievements of the British Columbia technology community through the Technology Impact Awards (TIA). The Gamechanger – Ambition Award, is a testament to a company’s drive to address significant challenges, lead with conviction, and leverage technology to shape a better future.