Fraud Risk Management Best Practices for Banking & Finance

There are several types of supervised machine-learning algorithms that can be used to detect fraudulent transactions:

Logistics Regression

Logistic regression is a type of supervised machine-learning algorithm that is used for classification tasks. It is similar to linear regression, but instead of predicting a continuous outcome, it predicts the probability that an example belongs to a certain class (e.g., fraudulent or legitimate).

In the context of fraud detection, logistic regression can be used to predict the probability that a transaction is fraudulent based on a set of features such as transaction amount, location, and time of day. The algorithm is trained on a labeled dataset of past transactions, where the correct classification (fraudulent or legitimate) is provided for each example. The logistic regression model learns to identify patterns in the data that are indicative of fraudulent activity and makes predictions about the probability that new transactions are fraudulent based on these patterns.

Artificial Neural Network (ANN)

An artificial neural network (ANN) is a machine learning algorithm inspired by the structure and function of the human brain. It consists of layers of interconnected "neurons" that process and transmits information. Artificial neural networks are particularly well suited to tasks involving complex patterns and relationships in data.

In the context of fraud detection, artificial neural networks can be used to classify transactions as fraudulent or legitimate based on a set of characteristics such as transaction amount, location, and time of day. The algorithm is trained on a labeled dataset of past transactions, where each instance is given the correct classification (fraud or legitimate). Artificial neural networks learn to recognize patterns in data that indicate fraudulent activity and classify new transactions to make predictions based on those patterns.

Support Vector Machines (SVMs)

Support vector machines (SVMs) are a type of supervised machine learning algorithm that can be used for classification tasks. They work by finding the hyperplane in a high-dimensional space that maximally separates the different classes. Once the hyperplane is found, new examples can be classified based on which side of the hyperplane they fall on.

In the context of fraud detection, SVMs can be used to classify transactions as either fraudulent or legitimate based on a set of features such as transaction amount, location, and time of day. The algorithm is trained on a labeled dataset of past transactions, where the correct classification (fraudulent or legitimate) is provided for each example. The SVM learns to identify patterns in the data that are indicative of fraudulent activity and makes predictions about the classification of new transactions based on these patterns.

Decision Trees

Decision trees are a type of machine learning algorithm used for classification tasks. It creates a tree-like model of decisions and their consequences represented as branches of a tree. Decision trees are trained to make predictions based on a set of features or attributes. Each internal node in the tree represents a decision based on one of those features, and each leaf node represents a classification or prediction.

In the context of fraud detection, decision trees can be used to classify transactions as fraudulent or legitimate based on many characteristics such as transaction amount, location, and time of day. The algorithm is trained on labeled records of past transactions and provides the correct classification (bad or fair) for each example. A decision tree learns to recognize patterns in the data that indicate fraud and makes predictions about how to classify new transactions based on these patterns.

As for unsupervised modeling, there are several types of unsupervised machine-learning algorithms that can be used to detect fraudulent transactions:

Clustering algorithms

Clustering algorithms are a type of unsupervised learning algorithm that can be used to group similar transactions together. In the context of fraud detection, clustering algorithms such as k-means or density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) can be used to identify groups of related transactions that may indicate fraudulent activity.

Anomaly detection algorithms

Anomaly detection algorithms are a type of unsupervised learning algorithm that can be used to identify unusual or unexpected patterns in data. In the context of fraud detection, anomaly detection algorithms can be used to identify transactions that deviate from the norm and may indicate fraudulent activity.

Association rule learning

Association rule learning is a type of unsupervised learning algorithm used to discover relationships between different elements in a data set. In the context of fraud detection, association rule learning can be used to detect relationships between different transactions that may indicate fraudulent activity.

Autoencoders

Autoencoders are a type of unsupervised learning algorithm used to learn compressed representations of input data. In the context of fraud detection, autoencoders can be used to detect unusual patterns in data that may indicate fraud.

Again, these are just a few examples of unsupervised machine learning algorithms that can be used for fraud detection. Which algorithm you choose depends on your business needs and data characteristics.

To build an effective risk model, there are several steps that must be followed for each type of machine learning technique; we'll summarize the below points for each machine learning model as shown by

• Collect and prepare the data: This involves gathering a dataset of past transactions and selecting the relevant features or attributes that will be used to train the model.
• Split the data into training and testing sets: The dataset should be randomly split into a training set and a testing set. The model will be trained on the training set and evaluated on the testing set.
• Train the model: The model is trained on a predetermined dataset for fitting by an algorithm. The algorithm determines which features are most important for predicting fraudulent activity and creates the tree structure accordingly.
• Evaluate the model: The trained model is evaluated on the testing set to measure its performance. Common evaluation metrics for decision trees include accuracy, precision, and recall.
• Fine-tune the model: If the model is not performing well on the testing set, it may be necessary to fine-tune the model by adjusting the parameters or selecting different features. This process can be repeated until the model achieves satisfactory performance.
• Deploy the model: Once the model is performing well on the testing set, it can be deployed in production to classify new transactions as they come in.

Data modeling is a powerful tool that helps financial institutions combat fraud in many ways.

• Pattern Recognition: By building models that can recognize patterns in data, financial institutions can more easily identify anomalous or suspicious activity that could indicate fraud This includes unusual spending patterns, unusual transactions, unusual combinations of features, etc.
• Fraud Prediction: By building predictive models, financial institutions can predict the likelihood that a given transaction will be fraudulent based on transaction characteristics and historical data. This allows institutions to prioritize their efforts and focus on the riskiest deals.
• Improving Fraud Detection Systems: You can improve the performance of existing fraud detection systems by using data modeling to identify the traits and patterns that best predict fraud. This allows institutions to more accurately and efficiently detect and prevent fraud.
• Improved Risk Assessment: Data modeling can be used to create risk assessment models that help financial institutions identify and assess fraud risk for different types of transactions. This allows institutions to better allocate resources and prioritize efforts. 

Overall, data modeling is a powerful tool to help financial institutions detect and prevent fraud more effectively by identifying patterns and predicting fraud based on data characteristics.

You can read more about risk assessment here in my previous article.

There are several reasons why financial institutions combat fraud in both financial and non-financial transactions.

• Inadequate data: To effectively detect and prevent fraud, financial institutions need access to comprehensive and up-to-date data. When data is incomplete, outdated, or of poor quality, it can be difficult to spot patterns or anomalies that indicate fraudulent activity.
• Limited resources: Fighting fraud can be resource-intensive, and financial institutions may not have the staff or budget to devote to the task. This can make it difficult to implement and maintain effective anti-fraud measures. 
• Complex regulatory environment: The financial industry is highly regulated and complying with these regulations can be time and resource intensive. This can make it difficult for financial institutions to allocate the necessary anti-fraud resources.
• Lack of collaboration: Fraudsters often operate across multiple institutions and countries, and it can be difficult for financial institutions to share information and coordinate anti-fraud efforts.
• Technical limitations: Fraud detection and prevention systems rely on sophisticated technology, and financial institutions may not have access to the tools and expertise necessary to use these systems effectively.
• Human error: Despite the use of technology, human error can still be a factor in fraud that goes undetected and prevented. This may include employee or customer negligence or failure to follow established procedures. Overall, effectively combating fraud requires a combination of strong data, resources, collaboration, technology, and a commitment to continuous review and improvement of processes and procedures.

Below are three books I recommend on fraud detection and prevention in the financial industry.

Fraud Data Analytics Methodology (Wiley Corporate F&A)

This book addresses the need for clear, reliable fraud detection with a solid framework for a robust data analytic plan. By combining fraud risk assessment and fraud data analytics, you'll be able to better identify and respond to the risk of fraud in your audits. Proven techniques help you identify signs of fraud hidden deep within company databases, and strategic guidance demonstrates how to build data interrogation search routines into your fraud risk assessment to locate red flags and fraudulent transactions. These methodologies require no advanced software skills and are easily implemented and integrated into any existing audit program. Professional standards now require all audits to include data analytics, and this informative guide shows you how to leverage this critical tool for recognizing fraud in today's core business systems.

Unstructured Data Analytics: How to Improve Customer Acquisition, Customer Retention, and Fraud Detection and Prevention

Unstructured Data Analytics provides an accessible, non-technical introduction to the analysis of unstructured data. Written by global experts in the analytics space, this book presents unstructured data analysis (UDA) concepts in a practical way, highlighting the broad scope of applications across industries, companies, and business functions. The discussion covers key aspects of UDA implementation, beginning with an explanation of the data and the information it provides, then moving into a holistic framework for implementation. Case studies show how real-world companies are leveraging UDA in security and customer management, and provide clear examples of both traditional business applications and newer, more innovative practices.

Critical Thinkers: Methods for Clear Thinking and Analysis in Everyday Situations from the Greatest Thinkers in History (The critical thinker)

This book provides an interesting review of philosophers and the history of critical thinking. For me, the amount of detail on each philosopher was too brief and the application of each philosopher's contribution could have been explored a lot more thoroughly. However, this level of detail might be quite appropriate for people who are initiated into philosophy. If you have not taken a philosophy course in college, this book can serve as a nice introduction. You might just discover that philosophy is more relevant than you thought and can provide assistance in critical thinking about modern issues.

You can enjoy watching this 12-minute video by 3Cloud, illustrating the usage of Machine Learning algorithms using Python programming language to detect financial fraud. There's not much to discuss here, everything is explained within the video.