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

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
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
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.”
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.
“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.
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.
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Industry News
InventHelp Inventor Develops New Accessory for Roulette Players

“I wanted to create an accessory that would make it easy to remember numbers that are hitting on a roulette wheel as well as your bets, so I invented the MY ROULETTE WHEEL. My design would take the guesswork out of selecting numbers for betting, and it could help improve your odds,” said an inventor, from Las Vegas, Nev.
The invention provides a new accessory for individuals who enjoy playing roulette. In doing so, it helps a gambler select a limited number of numbers. It also would allow the user to keep track of the numbers he had bet on. As a result, it increases entertainment, and it could improve an individual’s odds of winning. The invention features a compact and novel design that is easy to use so it is ideal for casino patrons and individuals who enjoy roulette. Additionally, a prototype is available.
The original design was submitted to the Las Vegas sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers.
The post InventHelp Inventor Develops New Accessory for Roulette Players appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
PTSB Launches ln-app Voluntary Gambling Block to Support Customer Financial Wellbeing

PTSB has launched a digital voluntary block for customers who wish to stop card transactions involving gambling merchants. This is an important initiative in promoting financial wellbeing and supporting customers in managing gambling-related harm.
The new feature allows PTSB customers to block debit and credit card transactions that are classified as gambling instantly through their PTSB App.
If customers choose to remove the block, a 48-hour impulse delay period will apply before gambling transactions can resume.
Along with betting sites, the block also covers online casinos, poker sites and lottery websites.
An analysis of PTSB banking data from January to June 2025 shows:
• 91% of gambling spend was completed online.
• 80% of gambling spend was completed by men, versus 20% completed by women.
• The age group with the highest spend on gambling sites for both men and women is 40-49.
• 2% of those who gambled in June 2025 spent over €1000, which falls into the threshold of problem gambling, according to ESRI Research.
ESRI research found that there are 130,000 adults with problem gambling in Ireland. There is also growing evidence that gambling offers lure people to bet more, particularly those at risk of problem gambling.
As part of the Bank’s 2025-2027 Sustainability launched earlier this year, PTSB is committed to playing its part in supporting customers with their financial wellbeing and has a continued focus on improving the financial literacy of its customers through education, inclusion supports and the delivery of digital tools. This includes raising awareness of the risks associated with problem gambling and providing support for those affected.
PTSB also has a dedicated Enhanced Customer Support team within their Contact Centre should customers need to access this support via phone.
Patrick Farrell, PTSB’s Retail Banking Officer, said: “At PTSB, the safety and welfare of our customers is of the utmost importance, and we’re committed to ensuring our customers have the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions and plan for their future.
“Problem gambling is increasingly becoming a societal issue that warrants the closest attention, as it can have hugely damaging implications for individuals, their families and loved ones. We know from ESRI research that one in 30 adults in Ireland suffers from problem gambling, but worryingly a further 279,000 adults show moderate evidence of it. That’s why we have introduced this voluntary gambling block in-app so that it is accessible when our customers need it most.”
Oisín McConville of GamblingCare.ie said: “I am delighted that PTSB has introduced a Gambling Block feature to their app. Having this service available to customers digitally will make a huge difference as it is accessible to them on the go, which is particularly important given the prevalence and availability of online gambling.
“Initiatives like this from PTSB are crucial in supporting those who experience problem gambling and really complement the support services GamblingCare offers in managing gambling-related harm.”
The post PTSB Launches ln-app Voluntary Gambling Block to Support Customer Financial Wellbeing appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Apple iSports
Apple iSports Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire LBC Enterprises Pty Ltd

Apple iSports, a gaming, entertainment, and technology services company, announced that it has signed a Definitive Agreement with LBC Enterprises Pty Ltd (LBC or Lucky Bet), an online gaming, wagering, and payment systems company.
The proposed acquisition underscores Apple iSports’ ability to execute strategic transactions pursuant to its stated business strategy. This transaction will underpin the Company’s ambitions and excellent relationships in the gaming and entertainment communities by securing highly accretive gaming and wagering revenue streams from business-to-business (B2B) and consumers (B2C). In doing so, this will position the Company to become a highly competitive player in the U.S. online gambling services ecosystem.
Ian Parke, CEO of LBC, said: “The proposed acquisition of our company by Apple iSports validates the global opportunity we see in regulated, tech-driven gaming. By combining LBC’s platform and operational expertise with AiS’s capital markets presence and distribution network, we are primed to accelerate our expansion into new markets and scale our white label program. This partnership represents a major step forward for Lucky Bet and the broader LBC ecosystem.”
Joe Martinez, CEO and Chairman of Apple iSports, said: “The Board of Directors is excited to continue rolling out our stated objectives with our proposed acquisition of LBC. Our service offerings to B2B and B2C will now be significantly enhanced in a rapidly growing sector. Combined with our exceptional team, this transaction catapults us into the US and international gaming markets.”
Board member and director Lyndon Hsu, who is based in Singapore, said: “This defining transaction will expand our reach into gaming, wagering, and payment services markets via B2B and B2C opportunities. AiS will also be able to accelerate its stated capital raising objectives and further anticipated business acquisitions. Apple iSports remains on track to become a NASDAQ mainboard-listed company.”
The post Apple iSports Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire LBC Enterprises Pty Ltd appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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