Fintech PR

North America sees social engineering scams multiply by a factor of 10

Published

1 week ago

November 13, 2024

Money laundering accounts increase 94%; GenAI tools and deepfake threats growing

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — New research released today shows North American financial institutions fielded 10 times more reports of social engineering scams in 2024 than they did a year ago. The data shows scams now represent 23% of all digital banking fraud. BioCatch – the global leader in digital fraud detection and financial crime prevention powered by behavioral biometric intelligence – published these findings in its 2024 Digital Banking Fraud Trends in North America report, which also details a staggering 94% uptick in reported money mule (or money laundering) accounts.

“Reports of North American mule accounts have almost doubled in the last year,” BioCatch Director of Global Fraud Intelligence Tom Peacock said. “This not only hints at the massive scope and scale of the money mule problem plaguing the world’s financial institutions but also – more hopefully – the positive steps North American banks have taken in the last year to identify these laundering accounts.”

BioCatch’s new report also highlights the growing threats posed by GenAI tools and deepfakes, which in the hands of fraudsters allow them to launch a greater quantity of more sophisticated attacks that are more difficult to detect and prevent.

“As we outlined in our 2024 AI, Fraud, and Financial Crime Survey and ScamGPT white paper, artificial intelligence is super-charging fraud,” BioCatch Global Advisory Director Seth Ruden said, “compounding its impact, and allowing bad actors to scale and sophisticate their scams with deepfakes and other devices. As the industry deploys the newest authentication methods in both account opening and account takeover processes, fraudsters will undoubtedly attack these as well.”

Other key report findings:

A win for banks: Account-opening fraud declined by nearly 60% in the last year, as banks implemented additional controls, such as behavioral biometric intelligence.
hony checks and balances: Check and deposit fraud volumes tripled in the last year. As banks have made it more difficult for fraudsters to create new accounts, these bad actors have changed their tactics, devoting more attention to deposit fraud on existing accounts.
Cut-and-paste red flags: BioCatch saw the copying and pasting of login credentials in nearly 30% of all fraud cases and in less than 1% of legitimate banking sessions.
Device intel insufficient: Nearly a quarter of all unauthorized fraud in North America takes place on trusted devices.

The massive uptick in reported scams also presents another challenge for banks on the customer service front. The Emotional Undercurrent of Scams, a study conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research and sponsored by BioCatch, highlights the human side of fraud and the devastating impact on scam victims following an attack.

“More than half of those surveyed said they’d lost trust in people and suffered emotional stress after falling victim to a scam,” Javelin Strategy & Research Senior Analyst Suzanne Sando said. “Nearly one in five victims said their loss disrupted their family life. As these scams grow more prevalent and sophisticated, a data-driven approach that combines historical account data as well as behavioral and device intelligence is critical to stopping scams in real-time and saving victims and banks from significant losses.”

Click here to access BioCatch’s complete 2024 Digital Banking Fraud Trends in North America report.

About BioCatch:

BioCatch stands at the forefront of digital fraud detection, pioneering behavioral biometric intelligence grounded in advanced cognitive science and machine learning. BioCatch analyzes thousands of user interactions to support a digital banking environment where identity, trust, and ease coexist. Today, 34 of the world’s largest 100 banks and 237 total financial institutions rely on BioCatch Connect™ to combat fraud, facilitate digital transformation, and grow customer relationships. BioCatch’s Client Innovation Board – an industry-led initiative featuring American Express, Barclays, Citi Ventures, HSBC, and National Australia Bank – collaborates to pioneer creative and innovative ways to leverage customer relationships for fraud prevention. With more than a decade of data analysis, 93 registered patents, and unmatched expertise, BioCatch continues to lead innovation to address future challenges. For more information, please visit www.biocatch.com.

PR contact:

Mac King
BioCatch senior comms manager
[email protected]

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Fintech PR

CKGSB Publishes 2024 ESG and Social Innovation Report Showcasing Progress on Driving Responsible Management Education

Published

51 minutes ago

November 22, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

BEIJING, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On November 21, 2024, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) released its 2024 ESG and Social Innovation Report at its event “ESG Strategies Conference: Insights for Business Transition” hosted in Shanghai in collaboration with the European Chamber of Commerce in China, witnessed by nearly 100 ESG-minded multinational business executives.

As the second edition of the school’s English-language ESG report, this report outlines CKGSB’s achievements and progress in the past two years in promoting sustainable business practices, fostering social innovation, and offering solutions to humanity’s common challenges as part of its broader mission to lead and drive responsible business education.

It emphasizes the school’s role in reshaping the future of management education through efforts in integrating ESG factors into its research and insights, programs and courses for decision-makers, strategic partnerships and dialogues, as well as institutional practices, which in return allows it to nurture responsible business leaders for society.

“Our approach to management education is rooted in the belief that businesses can and should be a force for good,” stated Li Haitao, Dean and Dean’s Distinguished Chair Professor of Finance of CKGSB. “CKGSB remains steadfast in its mission to developing leaders who are not only successful in their business endeavors, but also mindful of their responsibilities towards society and the environment.” CKGSB Professor of Marketing Zhu Rui, who drives the school’s efforts in teaching business for good, echoed Dean Li in saying, “Our goal is to empower companies, big or small, to seamlessly integrate ESG considerations into their core strategies and operations.”

The 2024 ESG and Social Innovation Report follows the seven principles of and has been submitted to the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), a platform designed to promote responsible management practices for the benefit of society and our planet. It is now available for download on CKGSB’s website.

Looking forward, CKGSB will continue driving progress on responsible management education and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.

About CKGSB

Established in Beijing in November 2002, CKGSB is China’s first privately-funded and research-driven business school. The school aims to cultivate transformative business leaders with a global vision, sense of social responsibility, innovative mindset, and ability to lead with empathy and compassion. To learn more about CKGSB, please visit: https://english.ckgsb.edu.cn/

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Fintech PR

Inaugural International MICE Summit (IMS) Convenes to Drive Business Events Sector’s Future in Saudi Arabia, Fastest-Growing G20 MICE Market

Published

2 hours ago

November 22, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

inaugural-international-mice-summit-(ims)-convenes-to-drive-business-events-sector’s-future-in-saudi-arabia,-fastest-growing-g20-mice-market

Over 1,000 global cross-industry and government leaders expected to attend three-day interactive program in one of the world’s fastest growing Meetings, Conferences, Incentives and Exhibitions (MICE) destinations.
Saudi MICE market projected to expand exponentially with hallmark events such as World Expo 2030, expected to attract 40.7 million visits to KSA alone.
Growing demand to be accommodated by the launch of a new airline and airport expansion, 1 million square meters of expected venue space and 854,000 hotel rooms by 2030.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The inaugural International MICE Summit (IMS24) will bring together over 1,000 global leaders from the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry between 15-17 December at Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City (MISK) in Riyadh, hosted by the Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA).

The three-day event promises to be the premier global leadership event for the MICE industry, offering innovation, economic and commercial opportunities for MICE and related tourism and travel sectors under the theme of “Expanding Horizons.” The event’s extensive programme is designed to unite MICE industry leaders, suppliers, associations, Giga-Project leaders, disruptors and international cross-industry and government leaders. Featuring plenary, panel discussions, innovation clusters, collaboration hubs, IMS24 will promise attendees a premier global platform to network, collaborate – and above all – reimagine what it means to convene in today’s global environment.

“In a time marked by profound technological and environmental transformation, the MICE industry has emerged as an essential catalyst of change. By focusing on the future of the industry, IMS24 addresses the needs of a globalized world – reshaping how people, cultures and countries connect to create prosperity” said IMS host and Chairman of SCEGA, His Excellency Fahd Al-Rasheed.

“Saudi Arabia is the perfect environment to host IMS24. As an internal and external agent of change, the Kingdom has embraced its own transformation by shaping the future of the global tourism industry and becoming the fastest growing major MICE destination among G20 countries,” His Excellency added.

MICE events in Saudi Arabia witnessed an increase of close to 15 percent in 2023, with almost 17,000 events attracting over 20 million visitors. IMS24 coincides with the Kingdom’s continued transformation as Saudi Arabia solidifies itself as a major global tourism and events destination. Welcoming almost 110 million visitors in 2023, tourism comprises six percent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP, equating to 255 billion SAR (US$68 billion). The Saudi MICE sector is expected to accelerate growth through the rapid expansion of transportation and event infrastructure, supported by the development of Giga-projects offering unparalleled destination experiences, and enhanced connectivity between the Kingdom and the rest of the world. SCEGA continues to drive these transformative developments, most recently in announcing a 588 million SAR (US$156 million) incentive program to support marquee events in 2025.

About the International MICE Summit

The International MICE Summit (IMS) gathers global leaders from the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, as well as professionals, and organizations from across industries. It provides a platform for industry insights, networking, and discussions on advancing innovation, knowledge sharing and sustainable development within the global MICE sector.

For more information or to register for the event, visit:

Website – www.internationalmicesummit.com
Twitter/X – https://x.com/ims_summit
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/ims-summit/
YouTube – https://youtube.com/@ims.summit?si=G06nYTaOUWer-OKq

About the Saudi Conferences and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA)

The Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA) is the official body overseeing the development and regulation of Saudi Arabia’s exhibitions and conventions sector. Established by Royal Decree in 2018, SCEGA aims to strengthen the sector’s economic impact by setting strategic policies, issuing licenses, promoting Saudi Arabia as a premier MICE destination, and fostering investment in line with global standards. Through collaboration with national and international stakeholders, SCEGA works to enhance sector growth, support talent development, and create opportunities for showcasing the Kingdom’s unique identity on the world stage.

Contact: [email protected]

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Fintech PR

Zhoushan Municipal Investment Promotion Center: Building a Modern Ocean City

Published

5 hours ago

November 22, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

zhoushan-municipal-investment-promotion-center:-building-a-modern-ocean-city

Invest in Zhoushan
Win Great Future

ZHOUSHAN, China, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Zhoushan Municipal Investment Promotion Center:

Zhoushan is at the intersection of eastern golden coastal line and golden waterway of Yangtze River of China,and has long enjoyed the prestige of “Buddhist Country, Fishing Town & Harbor City”.

Total area of 22,200km2, including sea area of 20,800km2 and land area of 1,440km2, 2,085 islands of various sizes, with two districts Dinghai and Putuo and two counties Daishan and Shengsi under jurisdiction, and permanent resident population of 1.2 million.

In recent years, Zhoushan has continuously improved its investment environment and hosted a series of high-spec major events, such as the IPEC, Boeing Supplier Conference, International Islands Tourism Conference, etc. A number of well-known enterprises from home and abroad have registered and settled down in Zhoushan.

KEY INDUSTRY

1 Green Petrochemical and New Materials Industry
Our focus is to introduce petrochemicals and new materials projects, such as high-end polyolefins, special engineering plastics, thermoplastic elastomers, functional film materials, high-performance fibers and composites, high-end electronic chemicals, high-end specialty chemicals, biodegradable plastics, new energy materials.

2 Consumption Settlement Center for Energy, Resources and Agricultural Products
Our focus is to introduce core industrial and derivative service projects such as warehousing and logistics, trade and transactions, financial settlement for energy, resources, and agricultural products in seven bulk commodity categories, namely petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, coal, grains, non-ferrous metals, high-end proteins.

3 Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Equipment Industry
Our focus is to introduce shipbuilding projects such as new energy powered ships, special transport ships, pleasure yachts and other characteristic ships, ship fittings projects such as high-end marine equipment, intelligent marine systems, communication and navigation equipment, deep sea floating marine engineering equipment manufacturing projects such as offshore oil and gas drilling, offshore wind power installation, operation and maintenance.

4 Digital Marine Industry
Our focus is to introduce upstream core parts and equipment manufacturing projects related to digital marine technologies such as 3D perception technology for aviation, aerospace, and shipping, marine big data technology, marine survey and control, marine power systems, as well as survey and control platform manufacturing projects such as unmanned boats and unmanned aerial vehicles.

5 Clean Energy and Equipment Manufacturing Industry
Our focus is to introduce projects such as photovoltaic equipment, energy storage equipment, wind and solar power equipment, comprehensive LNG utilization, integrated hydrogen production, storage, transport, refueling, and utilization, as well as nuclear energy, tidal (flow) energy, biofuels, and CCUS technology application.

6 Fishery Industry
Our focus is to introduce projects such as mariculture, marine fishing, intensive processing of aquatic products, modern commerce and trade, fishing tourism and leisure, marine biopharmaceuticals, cold chain logistics, high-end equipment, high-tech services.

7 Marine and Cultural Tourism
Our focus is to introduce projects such as high-quality resorts, leisure sports, offshore sightseeing, meditation and health, digital and cultural tourism, to create a unique urban coastal zone and build a City of Music, City of Sports Events, City of Film Studios.

8 Port and Shipping Logistics and Maritime Service Industry
Our focus is to introduce two kinds of port and shipping logistics projects, namely port services and shipping services, as well as five kinds of maritime service projects, namely anchorage supply, seafarer services, ship trade, ship maintenance, shipping finance.

9 Modern Aviation Industry
Our focus is to introduce parts manufacturing and equipment assembly projects such as unmanned aerial vehicles, general flight equipment, airport equipment, as well as related service projects such as aircraft delivery, financial leasing, aviation training.

Zhoushan Municipal Investment Promotion Center
http://zsinvest.zhoushan.gov.cn

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