Measuring the Public Awareness of Banking Fraud in Bahrain: A Business Analytics Approach in a Commercial Bank in Bahrain

This research explores clients' awareness of banking fraud at a commercial bank in Bahrain and indicates considerable gaps in understanding various types of fraud. As digital banking becomes increasingly ubiquitous, the risks of online fraud have skyrocketed, posing daunting problems for both customers and financial institutions. The knowledge and experiences of 251 participants—including customers of Bahrain's Commercial Bank and other banks—regarding financial fraud were evaluated. According to the research, only 30.3% of respondents had a moderate understanding of fraud, particularly regarding investment fraud and phishing. Furthermore, 20.7% of respondents reported being victims of fraud, underscoring the urgent need for better consumer education. Although 70.5% of participants reported that their banks had provided information on preventing fraud, the effectiveness of these communications appears inadequate, endangering many people. This study emphasizes the urgent need for improved consumer education initiatives regarding banking security in Bahrain. Among the study's distinctive aspects are its focus on demographic differences in fraud awareness and its comparison of Commercial Bank of Bahrain clients with those of other banks. The findings suggest that targeted training programs could significantly reduce the risk of banking fraud, enhancing everyone's financial security. In the expanding world of digital banking, filling in these knowledge gaps is essential to building resilience and trust.