Unmasking Financial Deception: Machine Learning and Big Data Strategies for Fraud Detection in Transactions
Introduction In the digital economy of 2025, financial transactions occur at an unprecedented scale, with billions processed daily through online banking, e-commerce, and mobile payments. This surge, fueled by big data, presents opportunities for efficiency but also amplifies fraud risks. Fraudulent activities, such as credit card scams, identity theft, and money laundering, cost the global economy trillions annually. Machine learning (ML), integrated with big data analytics, has become a frontline defense, enabling the identification of anomalous patterns in vast datasets that traditional rule-based systems miss. This chapter explores how big data analytics and ML revolutionize fraud detection in financial transactions. We cover foundational concepts, key algorithms, real-world applications, challenges, and future trends. By leveraging technologies like Hadoop, Spark, and advanced ML models, financial institutions can detect fraud in real-time, minimizing losses and enhancing tru...