Hydra: Detecting fraud in financial transactions via graph based representation and visual analysis

In this paper, we describe a web based tool named Hydra for analyzing financial transaction data with the aim to detect or verify fraudulent activities via visual analysis and graph based querying. Hydra exclusively uses graph based query algorithms to mine useful information in the transaction database, presents the results visually, facilitating interactive graphical analysis with state-of-the-art graph visualization technologies. We present the various components of Hydra and their aims. In addition, a number of different types of scenarios using these components for a network of prepaid card transactions are provided to illustrate the use of Hydra for detecting or verifying fraudulent activities.