Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) will today host the inaugural meeting of Ireland’s new Cross-Sector Anti-Fraud Forum, bringing together key stakeholders from across the financial services sector, telecommunication service providers, online platforms and their respective regulator along with government and An Garda Síochána, to enhance collaboration in the fight against fraud.
Established as a key action under the National Payments Strategy, published by the Department of Finance last year, the Forum represents a major step forward in tackling the rising threat of financial crime through shared intelligence, coordination, and collective action.
As the representative body for the banking and payments sector, BPFI has played a central role in shaping this initiative, working closely with industry partners and Government to ensure a robust framework for fraud prevention, detection, and disruption. BPFI will chair the Forum for the initial period of 2.5 years after which it will rotate to other industries on the forum.
Speaking ahead of today’s meeting, Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime, BPFI and Chair of the Anti-Fraud Forum said: “The establishment of this Forum marks a significant milestone in Ireland’s approach to tackling fraud. Fraud is an ever-evolving challenge, with criminals exploiting new technologies and cross-border tactics. By bringing together all the key players around one table, this Forum will help drive a more unified and proactive response to emerging threats. Criminals do not operate in silos, and neither can we. By working together across sectors, we can better protect consumers, businesses, and the integrity of the financial system."
The Forum will develop a cross-sector charter and meet regularly to exchange information on evolving trends, coordinate actions, and drive key initiatives that strengthen fraud defences across all sectors.
