Protecting the Public Purse: How Trust and Tech Can Prevent Government Payment Fraud

Fraud and improper payments are placing increasing pressure on governments worldwide. In the UK, fraud and error are estimated to cost public funds between £55 billion and £81 billion annually, while losses linked to improper payments in the United States are estimated at between US$233 billion and US$521 billion each year. Across the European Union, fraud against public funds reached an estimated €24.8 billion in 2024. International studies suggest that between 3% and 5.95% of government expenditure may be lost to fraud and improper payments, highlighting the growing need for governments to strengthen payment integrity, improve oversight and prevent losses before they occur.

As payment fraud becomes more sophisticated, coordinated and technologically enabled, agencies are being challenged to move beyond traditional compliance and post-payment recovery models. This webinar will explore how government organisations can modernise payment systems, connect intelligence across fraud, cyber and operational functions, and apply advanced analytics to identify risks earlier. Through practical insights from government and industry leaders, attendees will examine strategies for building more resilient, trusted and proactive approaches to protecting public funds.

Key discussion points

• Shifting from detection to prevention: Designing payment systems and controls that identify and stop high-risk transactions before funds leave the system.
• Treating payment fraud as a strategic risk: Understanding the intersection between fraud, cyber security, financial crime and organisational resilience.
• Breaking down data silos: Connecting fraud, identity, cyber and payment intelligence to create a more complete view of risk and emerging threats.
• Using AI responsibly to strengthen payment integrity: Leveraging analytics and machine learning to improve prevention while maintaining transparency, governance and accountability.
• Building trust through modern payment infrastructure: Modernising processes and operating models to enhance integrity, efficiency and public confidence.

This session is designed for senior public sector leaders responsible for safeguarding public funds, managing cyber/financial crime risk, and modernising payment and integrity functions — particularly those accountable for compliance outcomes and operational resilience.