Practical Insights Into the Underground Financial Crime Ecosystem

In this webinar, we’ll explore the underground financial crime ecosystem, with a special focus on how Telegram is being used to sell and share fraud-as-a-service. We’ll start with an overview of the Telegram platform and the various types of illicit data, tools, and services that are available. Using check fraud as a primary example, we’ll illustrate how stolen checks are obtained, advertised, and sold. The session will also provide actionable strategies for incorporating dark web signals into your comprehensive fraud prevention efforts, with a case study showcasing the impact of these insights combined with a modern AI-powered fraud detection platform.

Key Topics Covered:

  • Overview of the Dark Web Ecosystem:
    Insights into Telegram’s role in the underground economy.
  • Telegram’s Policy Changes:
    Will Telegram’s latest policy change truly cut back on Fraud-as-a-Service?
  • Types of Illicit Data and Services:
    Commonly traded items, including stolen data, hacking tools, and financial fraud services.
  • Case Study on Check Fraud:
    How stolen checks are acquired, marketed, and sold.
  • Incorporating Dark Web Intelligence into Fraud Strategies:
    Best practices for using dark web signals to enhance fraud prevention.
  • Leveraging AI-Powered Fraud Platforms:
    Examples of combining dark web insights with cutting-edge AI tools to improve detection and response.

Meet the Speakers

Mara Gibor

Vice President of Intelligence Operations
Q6 Cyber

Mara Gibor drives intelligence operations at Q6 Cyber, where she leads expert teams uncovering dark web threats and combating e-crimes. With over eight years of specialized experience and a master’s in Counter Terrorism, Mara is a nationally recognized authority on check fraud, malware, and cybercrime defense, shaping the landscape of intelligence in the digital age.

Luke Lukashunas

Vice President, Financial Intelligence & Security Services
TruMark Financial Credit Union

Luke Lukashunas is a powerhouse in financial crime prevention and law enforcement, blending his role as Vice President of Financial Crimes, Intelligence & Security Services at TruMark Financial Credit Union with his hands-on experience as a Detective. With a track record of innovative strategies, cutting-edge technology integration, and high-stakes investigations, Luke brings unmatched expertise to combating modern financial threats.

Hao Li

Chief Solution Architect
DataVisor

Hao Li is the Chief Solutions Architect & VP of Service at DataVisor. Hao has more than 10 years of experience in Big Data Analytics, Solution Architecture and Fraud Management. At DataVisor, Hao led the design, implementation and production support of 25+ enterprise fraud and risk mitigation projects in banking, fintech, e-commerce, travel, and gaming industries. Hao’s expertise in data orchestration, machine learning model utilization, strategy optimization, and review workflow automation has helped customers achieve significant reduction in fraud loss and improvement in risk mitigation efficiency.

About DataVisor

DataVisor is the AI-native real-time decisioning engine for fraud and financial crime prevention.
As AI transforms both fraud attacks and fraud defense, DataVisor helps financial institutions, payment providers, and digital businesses detect, investigate, and stop sophisticated and previously unseen threats in milliseconds across billions of transactions. Combining adaptive machine intelligence, consortium intelligence, and emerging agentic AI capabilities, DataVisor enables organizations to modernize fraud operations, improve customer experience, and stay ahead of rapidly evolving financial crime. DataVisor is trusted by leading financial institutions, payment innovators, Fortune 500 enterprises, and digital businesses worldwide.