Identify and research a major issue that is prevalent in the industry related to your career choice that can be analyzed using data analytic models. Review pages 29-35 for examples in the healthcare and retail industries. Address all of the following:
Identify the industry and the specific issue for analysis and discuss the impact of the issue within the industry.
For example, in the healthcare industry, accidental falls present a serious health risk for adults 65 years and older with 33% experience falls every year (Sharda, Delen, & Turban, 2018).
Utilizing data, provide the specific measurement and the costs associated with the issue.
For example, costs associated with accidental falls in 2013 amounted to $34 billion (Sharda, Delen, & Turban, 2018).
Identify and describe a major business within the industry that would benefit from conducting analytics that would address this problem. Provide a short review of the company including profit, customer base, revenue, and sales for the most current year available.
Discuss the specific type of analytics (descriptive, predictive, and/or prescriptive) that would be conducted in order to address the issue using the graphic below. Be sure to include the variables to be analyzed.
Data Analytics for Addressing Mobile Money Fraud in the Kenyan Financial Technology (FinTech) Industry
Industry and Specific Issue:
The industry under analysis is the Financial Technology (FinTech) sector in Kenya, specifically focusing on mobile money fraud. Mobile money has revolutionized financial inclusion in Kenya, providing a convenient and accessible platform for payments, savings, and credit for a large segment of the population, many of whom were previously unbanked. However, this rapid growth has also been accompanied by a significant rise in fraudulent activities targeting mobile money users.
The impact of mobile money fraud within the Kenyan FinTech industry is substantial and multifaceted:
- Financial Losses for Individuals: Fraud directly leads to financial losses for individuals, eroding their savings and income, particularly affecting vulnerable populations who may have limited financial safety nets.
- Erosion of Trust: The prevalence of fraud undermines user trust in mobile money platforms, potentially hindering further adoption and impacting the overall success of financial inclusion initiatives.
- Damage to Mobile Money Operators’ Reputation: Frequent fraud incidents can damage the reputation of mobile money operators, leading to customer churn and increased regulatory scrutiny.
- Increased Operational Costs: Mobile money operators incur significant costs in implementing fraud detection and prevention measures, as well as in investigating and resolving fraud cases.
- Hindrance to Economic Growth: Reduced trust and financial losses due to fraud can negatively impact economic activity, particularly for small businesses and individuals who rely on mobile money for transactions.
Measurement and Costs Associated with the Issue:
Quantifying the exact scale and cost of mobile money fraud in Kenya can be challenging due to underreporting and the evolving nature of fraudulent schemes. However, available data indicates a significant problem.
- Specific Measurement: While comprehensive, real-time national statistics are often proprietary, reports and surveys from regulatory bodies like the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and industry associations consistently highlight the increasing trend of mobile money fraud. For instance, anecdotal evidence and periodic reports suggest that the number of reported mobile money fraud cases has been increasing year-on-year, with various schemes targeting user credentials, exploiting system vulnerabilities, or leveraging social engineering tactics. A key metric tracked by operators is the fraud loss rate as a percentage of total transaction value. While specific percentages vary and are often not publicly disclosed for competitive reasons, industry insiders acknowledge it as a significant concern.
- Associated Costs: The costs associated with mobile money fraud extend beyond direct financial losses for users. These include:
- Direct Financial Losses: Estimates from various reports and industry analyses suggest that billions of Kenyan Shillings are lost annually to mobile money fraud. While a precise figure for 2024 is not yet available, extrapolating from past trends and acknowledging the continued growth of mobile money usage points to a substantial amount.
Data Analytics for Addressing Mobile Money Fraud in the Kenyan Financial Technology (FinTech) Industry
Industry and Specific Issue:
The industry under analysis is the Financial Technology (FinTech) sector in Kenya, specifically focusing on mobile money fraud. Mobile money has revolutionized financial inclusion in Kenya, providing a convenient and accessible platform for payments, savings, and credit for a large segment of the population, many of whom were previously unbanked. However, this rapid growth has also been accompanied by a significant rise in fraudulent activities targeting mobile money users.
The impact of mobile money fraud within the Kenyan FinTech industry is substantial and multifaceted:
- Financial Losses for Individuals: Fraud directly leads to financial losses for individuals, eroding their savings and income, particularly affecting vulnerable populations who may have limited financial safety nets.
- Erosion of Trust: The prevalence of fraud undermines user trust in mobile money platforms, potentially hindering further adoption and impacting the overall success of financial inclusion initiatives.
- Damage to Mobile Money Operators’ Reputation: Frequent fraud incidents can damage the reputation of mobile money operators, leading to customer churn and increased regulatory scrutiny.
- Increased Operational Costs: Mobile money operators incur significant costs in implementing fraud detection and prevention measures, as well as in investigating and resolving fraud cases.
- Hindrance to Economic Growth: Reduced trust and financial losses due to fraud can negatively impact economic activity, particularly for small businesses and individuals who rely on mobile money for transactions.
Measurement and Costs Associated with the Issue:
Quantifying the exact scale and cost of mobile money fraud in Kenya can be challenging due to underreporting and the evolving nature of fraudulent schemes. However, available data indicates a significant problem.
- Specific Measurement: While comprehensive, real-time national statistics are often proprietary, reports and surveys from regulatory bodies like the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and industry associations consistently highlight the increasing trend of mobile money fraud. For instance, anecdotal evidence and periodic reports suggest that the number of reported mobile money fraud cases has been increasing year-on-year, with various schemes targeting user credentials, exploiting system vulnerabilities, or leveraging social engineering tactics. A key metric tracked by operators is the fraud loss rate as a percentage of total transaction value. While specific percentages vary and are often not publicly disclosed for competitive reasons, industry insiders acknowledge it as a significant concern.
- Associated Costs: The costs associated with mobile money fraud extend beyond direct financial losses for users. These include:
- Direct Financial Losses: Estimates from various reports and industry analyses suggest that billions of Kenyan Shillings are lost annually to mobile money fraud. While a precise figure for 2024 is not yet available, extrapolating from past trends and acknowledging the continued growth of mobile money usage points to a substantial amount.