Samba Bank tackles the surge in digital fraud in Pakistan with BPC’s AI-powered SmartVista platform. Securing mobile and card payments, the system ensures SBP compliance. In an exclusive Q&A with The Fintech Times, BPC detailed how adaptive machine learning blocks sophisticated threats in real-time while enhancing customer experience with seamless biometric verification
Samba Bank’s recent deployment of BPC’s SmartVista Fraud Management system is a direct response to the surge in digital and card-not-present (CNP) fraud across Pakistan. This increase has been fuelled by the rapid growth of mobile app-based payments, which now dominate the digital transaction landscape, accounting for 77 per cent of all digital transactions by volume and 51 per cent by value.
The growing threat is tangible: the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) reported electronic fraud losses have climbed to nearly PKR 3 billion. In response, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) introduced its Digital Fraud Prevention Policy, mandating that banks formulate comprehensive digital fraud prevention frameworks , establish real-time monitoring systems , strengthen fraud departments , and compensate customers for unauthorised mobile app transactions under the SBP liability framework.
BPC’s rollout for Samba Bank ensures 100 per cent compliance with the SBP’s BPRD Circular 2023 (C4). Speaking exclusively to The Fintech Times, BPC explained that the SmartVista platform moves beyond traditional rules-based systems, combining a powerful rule engine with behavioural profiling and adaptive machine learning models.
“While expert rules remain essential for addressing known fraud scenarios, SmartVista’s machine learning capabilities continuously adapt to changes in the payment ecosystem and customer activity,” BPC explained. This enables the system to detect and block new fraud types in real time, often before a manual rule can even be created.
A core objective was achieving robust security without compromising the customer experience, a common challenge in fraud prevention. All fraud mitigation measures at Samba Bank are built using a risk-based approach. Fraud scoring and analytical models operate transparently in the background, providing protection without interrupting the user.
Rashid Jahangir, acting CEO of Samba Bank Pakistan, commented that the platform’s security features are paired with a seamless customer journey, including the introduction of biometric verification for onboarding and profile updates. The system also includes a QR redirection mechanism, allowing customers to scan a QR code on internet banking via the mobile app to complete biometric verification for access.
Furrukh Ali Baig, managing director Pakistan at BPC, highlighted that the platform’s API and ISO 8583 standards made it relatively straightforward to integrate the solution with the bank’s existing systems to enable these new features. While currently limited to smartphones, BPC is exploring options to extend support to other devices.
Looking ahead, BPC believes the future of fraud management lies in AI and machine learning architectures that ensure systems remain both effective and adaptive. The Samba Bank rollout demonstrates that a balance between strong fraud controls and a seamless customer experience is achievable, serving as a valuable reference for other FIs in the region.
