XConnect & SONIO team up to fight fraud in fintech

XConnect has partnered with identity provider SONIO on an integration that combines mobile network-based fraud signals with digital onboarding and compliance workflows for regulated industries, including online gambling, banking and fintech.

The integration connects XConnect's network APIs with SONIO's Identity Orchestration Platform, allowing firms in tightly regulated markets to use operator-level data for customer verification and monitoring without building separate integrations with multiple suppliers.

SONIO customers can access XConnect services including SIM Swap, MPM KYC Match and Number Verify. These tools use telecoms network information and numbering data to support checks alongside other identity verification steps.

Network signals

SIM swap checks aim to flag whether a mobile number has recently been moved to a new SIM card, a pattern often associated with account takeover. Number verification validates whether a number is reachable and linked to a device or subscriber record, depending on operator data availability. MPM KYC Match compares information held by a mobile operator with details provided during onboarding.

These signals sit within SONIO's orchestration layer, which routes identity checks across data sources and vendors based on customer risk, regulatory requirements and business rules.

As a result, SONIO clients can access XConnect's operator-derived data through a single connection to the SONIO platform, rather than contracting and integrating with operators or specialist providers individually. The partners also expect unified verification workflows and fewer customer drop-offs during onboarding.

Regulated sectors

Gambling and online sports betting operators face requirements around age verification, identity checks and ongoing monitoring. They also deal with fraud patterns such as bonus abuse, where individuals exploit sign-up offers by creating multiple accounts.

XConnect's MPM KYC Match is positioned for compliance and age-check use cases in iGaming and gambling. The companies also point to broader fraud prevention applications across banking, fintech and enterprise onboarding.

Financial services and other regulated digital sectors have expanded remote onboarding in recent years, increasing reliance on digital identity checks. Attackers have adapted with tactics involving stolen credentials, synthetic identities and interception of one-time passcodes.

Mobile network data is widely used in risk scoring because it adds context that is difficult to replicate through document checks alone. Signals such as SIM changes or call forwarding can indicate heightened risk, particularly when they occur close to a login attempt, password reset or change of payout destination.

Market positioning

XConnect provides phone number intelligence and network-based identity data services. Part of Somos, it aggregates and maintains telephone number information from multiple datasets and offers services for routing, validation and fraud checks.

SONIO describes its product as Identity as a Service, covering identity verification, proof of address, affordability and compliance checks. It also aims to prevent duplicate accounts under different identities through orchestration rules and identity matching.

Both firms are targeting the operational challenge of integrating multiple data sources. Identity and fraud teams often manage separate suppliers across verification, device intelligence, behavioural analytics and network-based signals. Consolidating connections can reduce engineering workload and simplify vendor management, while still allowing risk teams to tune workflows.

The partnership comes as operators and identity providers push further into API-based delivery of network signals. Regulators and industry bodies have also increased scrutiny of authentication methods that rely on SMS, given the risks associated with SIM swap and message interception.

The partners argue that embedding operator data directly into identity workflows can close gaps created when checks sit in separate systems. They also cite a need for faster onboarding decisions, especially in consumer services where friction can lead to abandoned sign-ups.

Mark Harvey, Chief Identity Officer at XConnect, said the partnership addresses trust and integration complexity.

"As digital onboarding accelerates and fraud activity becomes more advanced, enterprises require faster, more reliable ways to establish and maintain trust," said Mark Harvey, Chief Identity Officer, XConnect.

He added that combining orchestration with network APIs can strengthen decisioning while reducing integration effort.

"By combining SONIO's flexible onboarding and compliance workflows with XConnect's live SIM Swap, MPM KYC Match and Number Verify APIs, enterprises can make stronger decisions that drive trust and minimise integration effort. Our goal is to empower organisations across key geographies and industries with the tools they need to overcome evolving risks and challenges," said Harvey.

Xhejn Dule, Chief Sales Officer at SONIO, said the integration embeds operator-derived signals into existing workflows for regulated customers.

"Integrating XConnect's network-based identity signals into SONIO's Orchestration Platform gives our customers direct access to trusted mobile network operators' data within their existing workflows," said Dule.

"By working with XConnect, we're making it easy for highly regulated sectors to take control of their identity strategies and adapt to complex environments. Together, our partnership is helping businesses to combat fraud, boost compliance and keep customer experience simple and seamless," he added.

The integration makes XConnect's network APIs available within SONIO's platform for customers in sectors such as gambling, fintech and banking. The companies expect to add additional services over time as network API adoption broadens.