MEF DATA: Increasing Confidence in Safeguards

• Nick Rossman, Programme Director – MEF

This presentation will delve into evolving consumer perceptions of data security and online safety. It will highlight increasing confidence in safeguards and personal ability to stay safe online, while also addressing the persistent concern that technology advances may make personal data less secure.

Fraud Intelligence at Scale: Turning Shared Data into Shared Protection

• Anthony Sani, Director – Fraud Intelligence Limited

The panel will explore how devices and telephony are now a gateway to digital fraud, as they are the new front door connecting telecom abuse with wider financial crime. A key focus will be on the need for a single global intelligence layer — a shared, real-time source of truth for IPs, IMEIs, numbers, and scam signals that breaks down existing silos. The discussion will also cover why blockchain matters, explaining how it provides decentralized trust, data integrity, and transparency without relying on a single authority.

The Regulatory Frontier: Collaborative Strategies for Combating Fraud

• Nick Rossman, Programme Director – MEF
• Katia Gonzalez, Head of Corporate Public Policy –  Proximus Global
• Katja Kmet Vrčko, International Affairs Advisor – AKOS/ BEREC
• Anuj Agarwal, Chairman – Centre for Research on Cyber Crime and Cyber Law
• Innocenza Genna, Legal Advisor – Genna Cabinet

This panel explores the crucial relationship between evolving regulatory landscapes and industry-driven solutions in the ongoing fight against financial fraud. We will examine how different regions are approaching policy, the delicate balance between preventing overregulation and ensuring robust consumer protection, and the increasing importance of industry-led frameworks.

MEF Anti-Fraud in Messaging Framework

• Sham Careem, Head of Global Anti-Fraud Solutions – MEF

Discover how MEF’s Anti-Fraud in Messaging Framework is uniting the messaging ecosystem to implement binding self-regulated practices, protecting consumers and brands from fraud in SMS and RCS. Learn how the framework is safeguarding trusted messaging channels, and gain insight into early results from a groundbreaking trial designed to prevent fraudsters from exploiting the P2P SMS channel.

Inside the fraud factory: Crime as a Service & Kill chain tactics

• Garry Lilburn, Operations Director –  Cyber Defence Alliance
• Rebecca Hinchliffe, Cyber Crime Analyst –  Barclays Bank

This session will explore the current efforts being undertaken to tackle the threat actors, examining how they have evolved and the rise of Crime-as-a-Service. It will also delve into how the fraud kill chain can be utilized to reduce threats and will highlight various law enforcement operations in this area.

Defending the Digital Frontier: From Frameworks to Fraud Kill Chains

• Sham Careem, Head of Global Anti-Fraud Solutions – MEF
• Rebecca Hinchliffe, Cyber Crime Analyst –  Barclays Bank
• Gary Lillburn, Operations Director –  Cyber Defence Alliance
• Dario Betti, CEO – MEF

This panel brings together the experts behind the latest efforts to combat digital fraud. We will explore how industry frameworks, such as the MEF’s Anti-Fraud in Messaging initiative, are establishing a united front to protect consumers and brands.

Building Trusted Messaging: Vetting, Validating, and Securing the Digital Communication Channel

• Nick Rossman, Programme Director – MEF
• Eli Katz, CEO & Founder – X-Connect
• Tim Atkinson, Business Development – Google
• Olly Brough, Director – AuthID
• Will Pinkney, Principal, Networks and Communications Group – Ofcom

In an era where digital communication is paramount, SMS and RCS fraud poses a severe and escalating threat to consumer trust and brand reputation. Bad actors are increasingly sophisticated, exploiting vulnerabilities to impersonate legitimate businesses, leading to phishing, scams, and significant financial losses.

KEYNOTE: Public Trust in Technology by Chi Onwurah MP and Chair of the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee

• Chi Onwurah, Member of Parliament and Chair of the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee

The London Stock Exchange Group – The Fraud Landscape: What Are We Up Against?

• Allister Fraser, Digital Identity & Verification Sales Specialist –  London Stock Exchange Group

Join Allister Fraser, Identity Verification Sales Specialist at LSEG, as he explores the evolving fraud landscape in 2025. This session will highlight significant financial threats, including deepfake and synthetic identity fraud, and discuss how LSEG’s Document & Biometric Verification (DBV) solution offers a robust defense. Learn how DBV uses AI to authenticate identities with superior accuracy and speed, enhancing security while streamlining workflows and improving the customer onboarding experience.

The Rising Threat: Multimode Fraud and Omnichannel Attacks

• Dario Betti, CEO – MEF
• Clive Steady, Infobip
• Leon Makaj, Routing Expert – Infobip

Fraudsters are no longer confined to a single communication channel. Today, they orchestrate complex attacks that move seamlessly across SMS, voice, OTT messaging apps, and RCS. This convergence is often called “multimode fraud” or “omnichannel fraud.” By combining multiple touchpoints—such as following an SMS phishing attempt with a fraudulent call—attackers bypass traditional security defenses, exploit user trust, and increase the likelihood of success.

From Ringtones to Real Finance: Secure, Trusted, Transformed?

• Gülnihal Akartepe, VP – Risk, Regulation and Compliance – Tpay Mobile

The presentation outlines the evolution of Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) from its origins in providing mobile services like ringtones to becoming a tool for real-world financial transactions. The document highlights the benefits of DCB, such as convenience, versatility, high conversion rates, and enhanced security.

How MNO’s can make mobile business models robust

• Ievgen Martsin, VP Product technology, Network API& future proof journeys – Proximus Global

After decades of operating behind closed doors, major telecom providers are opening their networks. In doing so, they’re launching a new era in digital communications set to reshape how everyone, everywhere interacts in the digital world. For consumers, the promise is undeniable: smoother, more secure, and hyper-personalized experiences with brands they engage with daily.

Network APIs: The Next Frontier in Fraud-Resilient 2FA and Trusted Digital Identity

• Dario Betti, CEO – MEF
• Raman Mistry GSMA, Channel Partner Engagement Lead
• Clare Messenger, JT Global, Head of Mobile Intelligence
• Glyn Povah, Global Product Development, Telefonica
• Matthew Hornsey, VP of Product and Purchasing, TMT ID
• Ievgen Martsin, VP Product technology, Network API& future proof journeys – Proximus Global
• Andrew Bud CBE FREng FIET, Founder & CEO – iProov

The landscape of digital authentication is rapidly shifting. We are witnessing a growing trend of regulators intervening in SMS-based Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), particularly within financial services, urging and even obliging industries to adopt more secure, alternative channels. Simultaneously, leading hyperscalers are proactively moving away from SMS 2FA, recognizing its inherent vulnerabilities and taking the initiative to implement stronger authentication methods.

Combatting AIT: PROTECTING REVENUE AND TRUST IN TELECOM

• Sham Careem, Head of Global Anti-Fraud Solutions – MEF
• Lee Suker, Head of Authentication and Number Information – Sinch
• Chris Curd, Director, Mobile Identity – Mitto
• Dr Marco Lafrentz, Vice President of Business and Market Development –  netnumber

Don’t miss our essential panel on Artificially Inflated Traffic (AIT), a pervasive and costly threat eroding trust and profitability across the telecom ecosystem. AIT significantly impacts enterprises and brands, leading to substantial revenue losses and compromised customer experiences. Join industry leaders as we uncover the true scale of AIT and dissect the pros and cons of various cutting-edge technical solutions designed to combat this challenge. This session will also spark vital discussion on the urgent need for enhanced collaboration across the entire telecom industry to collectively secure the future of legitimate traffic and protect brand integrity. Discover how to safeguard your business and thrive in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Beyond the Checkmark: Navigating the KYB & Brand Verification Maze for RCS

• Sham Careem, Advisor – MEF
• Stefan Heller, Vice President Business Development & Strategic Partnerships – TCR
• John Bruner, President and CEO –  Aegis Mobile
• Robert Jones, Chief Commercial Officer –  Brand Assure 

This panel will dissect the critical challenges in establishing trust and security for business-to-consumer messaging in the RCS ecosystem. We’ll explore the complex world of Know Your Business (KYB) and brand ID verification, examining the pain points for brands seeking to launch campaigns, the operational bottlenecks faced by mobile operators, and the integration hurdles for CPaaS providers. The discussion will cover the intricacies of vetting ultimate beneficial ownership, the need for standardized global protocols, and the balance between robust security measures and a seamless, fast onboarding experience. Join us to uncover practical solutions for building a more secure and efficient RCS messaging future.