Connect with us

Industry News

Digital Fraudsters Increase Attacks Against Multiple Industries During Pandemic; Use COVID-19 Scams to Target Younger Generations

Published

on

Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

TransUnion quarterly global fraud analysis also examines the types of fraud targeting businesses and where it originates

TransUnion released its quarterly analysis of global online fraud trends finding that the telecommunications, retail and financial services industries have been increasingly impacted. From a consumer perspective, Millennials have been most targeted by fraudsters using COVID-19 scams.

Given the changing economic environment with COVID-19, this quarter TransUnion analyzed fraud trends through April 28 to ensure the impacts following the March 11 World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic declaration were included in the analysis

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Overall, TransUnion found the percent of suspected fraudulent digital transactions rose 5% from March 11 to April 28 when compared to Jan. 1 to March 10, 2020. TransUnion identified more than 100 million risky transactions from March 11 to April 28.

“Given the billions of people globally that have been forced to stay at home, industries have been disrupted in a way not seen on this massive of a scale for generations,” said Shai Cohen, senior vice president of Global Fraud & Identity Solutions at TransUnion.

“Now that many transactions have shifted online, fraudsters have tried to take advantage and companies must adapt. Businesses that come out on top will be those leveraging fraud prevention tools that provide great detection rates and friction-right experiences for consumers.”

 

Examining Fraud Types and Their Impact on Industries

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

TransUnion analyzed the below industries for a change in the percent of suspected fraud against them, comparing Jan. 1 to March 10 and March 11 to April 28.

 

Suspected Fraud Post Pandemic Declaration

Industry Suspected fraud increase  Top type of fraud Top country for suspected fraud origination
Telecommunications 76% Credit card Timor-Leste
E-Commerce 12% Promotion abuse Indonesia
Financial Services 11% Identity theft Syria
Gambling -1% Promotion abuse Sri Lanka
Public Sector -1% Account takeover Nigeria
Insurance -3% Ghost broking Pakistan
Logistics -7% Shipping Philippines
Communities -11% Phishing Ivory Coast
Travel & Leisure -38% Credit card Haiti
Healthcare -40% Identity theft Finland
Gaming -43% Gold farming Myanmar

 

“Our data shows that as social distancing changes shopping patterns, fraudsters have taken notice and targeted the more digital forward industries while following the money,” said Melissa Gaddis, senior director of customer success for TransUnion Global Fraud & Identity Solutions. “For instance, although we found online gaming increased 64% as people stay home, it isn’t immediately lucrative to target those companies since financial information isn’t generally shared there. However telecommunications, e-commerce and financial services all have large digital adoption, financial information and payments at the center of their online experience, and fared relatively well compared to other industries during the pandemic.”

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Globally across industries, TransUnion found the countries with the highest percent of risky transactions were: 1) Yemen, 2) Syria and 3) Kazakhstan. In the U.S. overall, TransUnion found the cities with the highest percent of risky transactions were: 1) Springfield, Mass., Akron, Ohio and Louisville, Ky.

 

Consumers Targeted By COVID-19 Schemes

To better understand the impacts of COVID-19 on consumers, TransUnion surveyed 9,215 adults in the U.S., Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, South Africa and the U.K. during the week of April 13. Nearly three out of 10 respondents (29%) said they had been targeted by digital fraud related to COVID-19, with Millennials (those persons between the ages 26-40) being the most targeted at 34%.

Furthermore, TransUnion found that consumers who said their household income is being negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are more likely to experience digital fraud with 32% reporting being targeted by online COVID-19 scams compared to 22% of people not financially impacted.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

“A common assumption is that fraudsters target older generations who are perceived to be less digitally capable,” said Gaddis.”Our data showed the opposite with younger generations, Millennials and Gen Z (those born in or after 1995), being the most targeted. Adding insult to injury, our survey found Millennials are being financially challenged the most during the pandemic.”

 

Methodology

For its transactional data, TransUnion analyzed the billions of online transactions its flagship fraud and identity solution, TransUnion IDVision® with iovation®, assessed for fraud indicators for more than 40,000 websites and apps. It compared the percent of suspected fraudulent transactions it saw from Jan. 1 to March 10, 2020 to those from March 11 to April 28, 2020.

For a hub of relevant educational resources aimed to help fight fraud during this time, go to the TransUnion Global Fraud & Identity Solutions COVID-19 resource center.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

 

About TransUnion:

TransUnion is a global information and insights company that makes trust possible in the modern economy. We do this by providing a comprehensive picture of each person so they can be reliably and safely represented in the marketplace. As a result, businesses and consumers can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good.®

TransUnion Global Fraud & Identity Solutions unite both consumer and device identities to detect threats across markets while ensuring friction-right user experiences. The solutions, all part of the IDVision with iovation suite, fuse traditional data science with machine learning to provide businesses unique insights about consumer transactions, safeguarding tens of millions of transactions each day.

A leading presence in more than 30 countries across five continents, TransUnion provides solutions that help create economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for hundreds of millions of people.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

 

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Industry News

Kindred Reports Decline in Revenue from High-risk Players for Q4 2024

Published

on

kindred-reports-decline-in-revenue-from-high-risk-players-for-q4-2024
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Kindred Group has reported decline in its share of revenue from high-risk players for the fourth quarter 2024 at 2.7% (Q3 2024 3.2%). The percentage of detected customers who exhibited improved behaviour after interventions showed an improvement at 92.2% (compared to 87.3% in Q3 2024). This positive trend is mainly the result of stricter measures across key markets, improved internal processes, as well as the exit from non-locally licensed markets as part of to the acquisition by La Française des Jeux (FDJ) in October 2024. This shift reflects Kindred’s broader commitment to maintaining high regulatory standards and fostering safer gambling practices.

“It is pleasing to see the decline in high-risk revenue during the fourth quarter of last year. We know that the share fluctuates between quarters, but the long-term trend is showing a steady decline. We remain dedicated and focused on improving our systems and processes to ensure we offer our customers a safe and fun experience,” Esther Scheepers, Head of Responsible Gambling at Kindred Group, said.

“The increased focus on responsible gambling by regulators and the industry is welcomed. From our end, we see that by combining our expertise with emerging technologies, we can further enhance detection capabilities. We are currently working on our existing detection system in combination with an additional system that will enable us to integrate more robust compliance features and optimize our overall approach to safer gambling. Furthermore, we are exploring opportunities to expand our research efforts, aiming to support data-driven discussions and looking at emerging trends in consumer protection. All these aspects are important to protect the integrity of the licence model and maintain a level playing field,” Esther Scheepers added.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

The post Kindred Reports Decline in Revenue from High-risk Players for Q4 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Industry News

Presence of Hristo Stoichkov was a Main Attraction of Amusnet’s Stand at ICE Barcelona 2025

Published

on

presence-of-hristo-stoichkov-was-a-main-attraction-of-amusnet’s-stand-at-ice-barcelona-2025
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

In 2025, ICE was held in Barcelona for the first time, attracting more than 55,000 visitors. A key moment at Amusnet’s stand was the exclusive participation of football legend, Barcelona icon and official company partner Hristo Stoichkov.

The collaboration with the leading all-casino solutions provider was officially announced in July 2024. It brings the excitement of football – one of the world’s most beloved sports, to a global audience while reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences. The partnership with Stoichkov, a football legend ranked among the 100 greatest players of all time, strengthens Amusnet’s leadership in the gaming industry. It embodies core values like teamwork and determination, driving the company’s success and innovation.

The exclusive appearance of FC Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov at ICE drew thousands of visitors who seized the unique opportunity to meet him. In the city that played a pivotal role in his career, Stoichkov brought value to the global gaming community, further strengthening Amusnet’s dedication to world-class entertainment. Hundreds of attendees showcased their competitive spirit in a thrilling football championship, competing for exclusive prizes, including autographed footballs signed by Stoichkov and 2025 Champions League tickets. Adding to the anticipation, the iconic player personally drew the winners, making the moment even more unforgettable. The Amusnet team was also honoured to welcome Digitain’s founder, Vardges Vardanyan, alongside Real Madrid Legends: Michel Salgado, Michael Owen, Iker Casillas, and Luis Figo, to its stand. The presence of these iconic football stars, alongside Hristo Stoichkov, embodied the spirit of collaboration and innovation, reinforcing the concept of industry pioneers uniting to shape the future of gaming.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Visitors at the Amusnet stand had the chance to experience the celebrity slot game Stoichkov #8, launched ahead of UEFA EURO 2024 to heighten the tournament’s excitement. Inspired by Stoichkov’s legendary career, the game captures the essence of football with immersive graphics and dynamic features, bringing the thrill of real matches to the reels through Free Spins, Buy Bonus and Expanding Wilds for continuous action. Recognized for its excellence, Stoichkov #8 received the Online Game of the Year award at the BEGE Awards 2024. Since its debut, it has become a player-favourite across multiple markets in Europe and LATAM.

The post Presence of Hristo Stoichkov was a Main Attraction of Amusnet’s Stand at ICE Barcelona 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Industry News

Amusnet to Participate in Enada Primavera 2025

Published

on

amusnet-to-participate-in-enada-primavera-2025
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Amusnet, an international all-one casino solutions provider, is going to showcase its latest products at the 37th edition of Enada Primavera, taking place on February 17–19 in Rimini, Italy. Organised by the IEG Italian Exhibition Group and promoted by SAPAR, this premier gaming event draws industry professionals across Southern Europe.

“Enada Primavera is a key event for connecting with partners and presenting our newest gaming solutions. Our ongoing participation reflects our commitment to further expanding our presence in the Italian market and shaping the future of gaming in Italy and beyond,” Polina Nedyalkova, Director at Amusnet Italy, said.

At booth 086, visitors will have the opportunity to explore some of the recent slot releases in Italy, including Vampire Bites and Dancing Dead, along with the festive Diamond Plus – Valentine’s Edition.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Amusnet will showcase top-performing titles from its Live Casino vertical, including the three next-generation Virtual Roulette games: Virtual Monaco Roulette 72x, Virtual Space Roulette 120x, and Virtual Vegas Roulette 500x. They offer thrilling gameplay, excellent-quality graphics, captivating themes and soundtracks.

Visitors can also explore Showtime Roulette 500x, a highly customisable live roulette game that enables operators to personalise branding and themes for a unique gaming experience. As the newest addition to the Live Casino portfolio, this game is planned to be available to Italian players in 2025.

The post Amusnet to Participate in Enada Primavera 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending

Offering comprehensive coverage on all aspects of the gaming sector, our daily posts include online and land-based gaming, betting, esports, regulatory and compliance updates, and technological advancements. Regular features encompass daily news articles, press releases, exclusive interviews, and insightful event reports.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Gaming News Room is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania