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

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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.

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PR contact:

Mac King
BioCatch senior comms manager
[email protected]

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Get a firsthand experience of the charisma of Xi

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BEIJING, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Poeple’s Daily:

In May 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Hungary. During this historic visit, leaders of the two countries announced the elevation of bilateral relations to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era, injecting renewed powerful impetus into cooperation between the two countries.

As the interpreter for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during his meeting with President Xi, Simon Adrienn had the opportunity to again gain a firsthand glimpse into the charisma of President Xi as the leader of a major country.

In 2009, Xi, the then vice president of China, visited Hungary. Simon accompanied him as an interpreter for the first time to explore a memorial hall with rich Hungarian ethnic characteristics. “As I provided explanations, Xi listened attentively, showing a genuine interest in Hungarian history and culture. I could sense that he was a leader of great knowledge and insight”.

Since then, she has worked as an interpreter during meetings between the leaders of Hungary and China on numerous occasions. In her memories, Prime Minister Orban and President Xi are both candid and wise leaders who know about each other and trust each other. “President Xi’s clear articulation makes my job relatively easy. He is approachable, and respects and treats every staff member equally. In my view, this exemplifies the true essence of a great leader of a major country.”

Before kicking off this state visit to Hungary, President Xi published a signed article titled “Embarking on a Golden Voyage in ChinaHungary Relations” in the Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet. The article provided a comprehensive overview of the successful practices and positive outcomes in the development of bilateral relations over the past 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Simon translated the article into Hungarian. She said this experience was a valuable learning process, allowing her to gain a deeper understanding of President Xi’s views and thoughts.

In fact, this was not the first time that she translated President Xi’s books and articles. She once participated in the translation of President Xi’s book “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China“. In her eyes, President Xi drew upon numerous Chinese historical and cultural references in the book, prompting her to delve into the materials to identify the most suitable expressions. The process of translation provided her with profound intellectual enlightenment.

She deeply admires President Xi’s statement “Friendship, which derives from close contact between the people, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations.” As Hungary-China relations navigate a “golden channel,” closer people-to-people ties stand as a vital cornerstone. The Hungarian and Chinese people share many similarities, both valuing family harmony. The Hungarian people hold a profound appreciation for Chinese culture, evident through the presence of multiple Confucius Institutes, numerous traditional Chinese medicine clinics, and bilingual schools in Hungary that nurture a plethora of young talents for cultural exchanges between the two nations. Hungarian Chinese communities have also made substantial contributions to fostering deeper friendship between the two countries. People-to-people and cultural exchanges continue to strengthen, laying a solid foundation for cooperation between the two nations.

In the 1980s, student exchanges between Hungary and China began, and Simon was one of the beneficiaries. Her connection with China dated back to the third grade of primary school. At that time, she read many Chinese folk stories in the library. Upon graduating from high school, she seized the opportunity to study in China and spent six wonderful years there which had a significant impact on her life. Even today, she still enjoys reading Chinese folk stories and children’s literature. She has translated them into Hungarian, and organized Hungarian children to read them. she is always learning and improving, hoping to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples through her work and continue to write new stories of friendly exchanges with her Chinese friends.

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WSPN Appoints Former EY Global Chief Innovation Officer Jeff Wong as Independent Director

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SINGAPORE, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Worldwide Stablecoin Payment Network (WSPN), a leading stablecoin infrastructure company, announces the appointment of Jeff Wong as Independent Director. Mr. Wong brings over 25 years of experience in technology innovation and enterprise transformation to WSPN. He most recently served as EY’s Global Chief Innovation Officer from 2015 to 2024, where he spearheaded the firm’s global innovation initiatives and established EY’s advanced technology labs focusing on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Quantum Computing, and Web3.

Prior to EY, Mr. Wong held leadership roles at eBay and JPMorgan Partners. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Forbes Technology Council, and the founding Chair of Asia Society’s Technology and Innovation Council, helping drive the innovation and transformation agenda. He was also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Innovation Ecosystems. He has previously served on the Oxford Foundry Board at Oxford University and the Advisory Board for AI4All. Mr. Wong is a recipient of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business award and an honoree of the A100 List by Gold House, recognizing individuals with Asian Pacific heritage who have made a significant impact on American culture and society.

“Joining WSPN at this pivotal moment in the stablecoin industry is incredibly exciting,” said Mr. Wong. “I look forward to contributing my experience in emerging technologies and enterprise transformation to help WSPN build the next generation of digital payment infrastructure.”

“Jeff’s appointment represents a significant strategic addition to WSPN,” said Raymond Yuan, Founder and CEO of WSPN. “His deep expertise in innovation management, enterprise transformation, and emerging technologies, combined with his leadership experience at global institutions, will be invaluable as we accelerate our market expansion and global development.”

About WSPN

WSPN is a leading provider of next-generation stablecoin infrastructure, committed to building a more secure, efficient, and transparent payment solution for the global economy. Their flagship product, WUSD stablecoin, is pegged 1:1 to the U.S. Dollar and aims to optimize secure digital payments for Web3 users. WSPN’s Stablecoin 2.0 approach prioritizes user-centricity, community governance, and accessibility, paving the way for widespread stablecoin adoption.

Learn more: www.wspn.io | X | LinkedIn

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Sinopec Completes Construction of China’s Largest Petrochemical Industrial Base

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Refining Capacity of the Base Surpasses 50 Million Tons per Year

NINGBO, China, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation‘s (HKG: 0386, “Sinopec”) recently announced the mechanical completion of the second-phase expansion and advanced materials project at its Zhenhai Refinery. This milestone sets new benchmarks for innovation, smart manufacturing, and energy efficiency in large-scale projects. The refinery’s capacity has now been upgraded to 40 million tons per year, contributing to the Zhejiang Ningbo Petrochemical Industrial Base surpassing a total refining capacity of 50 million tons annually. The achievement solidifies its position as China’s largest, most advanced, and globally competitive petrochemical industrial base.

Located in the Yangtze River Delta, a key downstream product consumption hub, the Zhejiang Ningbo Petrochemical Industrial Base plays a vital role in Sinopec’s value chain. The second-phase expansion and advanced materials project, with a total investment of CNY 41.6 billion, incorporates 18 production units, including atmospheric distillation, catalytic cracking, polypropylene, and propane dehydrogenation units. By emphasizing chemical-focused processes, the project creates multiple high-value-added supply chains.

The facility’s expanded production capacity supports the development of high-end polyolefins, advanced materials, and specialty chemicals. It is expected to provide approximately 8 million tons of petrochemical products annually, significantly boosting the overall capacity of supply chains for industries such as automotive, home appliances, and textiles in the region. This expansion is forecast to generate trillions of yuan in upstream and downstream industrial value.

The project achieved remarkable progress in technological innovation and sustainability. Highlights include:

  • Localization of 10 core technologies, including the world’s highest-load vertical labyrinth compressor.
  • Extensive deployment of smart technologies, enabling simultaneous delivery of digital and physical factories.
  • Integration of a fully localized industrial operating system and a self-developed industrial internet platform to enhance decision-making and management.
  • Implementation of comprehensive energy-saving measures, achieving an overall reduction in energy consumption of 11.7%.
  • Safety and quality were paramount during construction, with over 90 million consecutive safe man-hours recorded and a 100% quality pass rate for all units, setting a new industry benchmark.

Zhenhai Refinery, Sinopec’s largest integrated refining and chemical enterprise, boasts an ethylene production capacity of 2.2 million tons per year. It is also the only enterprise in China consistently ranked in the top performance group of the Solomon Global Ethylene Performance Evaluation.

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