AI, Identity & Fraud: iDenfy’s Vision for a Safer Digital World with Robert Kotov
TL;DR
In this exclusive interview, Robert Kotov, Head of Partnerships at iDenfy, shares how the company is leading the charge in identity verification, fraud prevention, and AI-powered security. Learn how industries from fintech to e-commerce tackle fraud, and how open banking partnerships, including the one with Enable Banking , enhance KYC and verification accuracy. Spoiler: He once had to verify someone… posthumously.
In an age of increasing digital fraud and identity theft, robust identity verification solutions are more critical than ever. We sat down with Robert Kotov, Head of Partnerships at iDenfy, to explore how they are leading the way for modern identity verification solutions and how businesses can navigate the evolving landscape. By combining AI-driven technology with real-time open banking data, iDenfy is setting a new benchmark for security, compliance, and user trust.
Hi Robert, can you introduce yourself?
Hi! I’m Robert, and I’m the Head of Partnerships at iDenfy. I’ve been with the company for nearly four years. Before joining, I had a background in marketing, sales, and a bit of healthcare, definitely an eclectic mix! I’ve always been passionate about building strong relationships, which is what drew me to iDenfy.
Even after nearly four years at iDenfy what excites me most in my role is the chance to meet a diverse range of businesses across industries, helping them overcome unique challenges. Whether it’s a startup or a large financial services provider, each day is dynamic and brings something new to the table.
Can you tell us about iDenfy’s identity verification solutions?
We’ve been in the identity verification space since 2017, and our product has evolved significantly over time. At the core, we focus on digital identity verification, utilizing technologies like face verification, biometrics, liveness detection, and optical character recognition (OCR) to authenticate documents.
What really sets us apart is our hybrid approach. We combine automated processes with human oversight to ensure that every verification is accurate and seamless. Additionally, we offer a range of supplementary services, such as Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) screening, fraud prevention tools, and even bank account verification.
How is iDenfy utilizing AI and machine learning in KYC and fraud prevention?
AI and machine learning are at the heart of what we do. For instance, we use machine learning for optical character recognition (OCR) and facial recognition to match faces to documents, scanning hundreds of points on the face to ensure accuracy.
We also leverage AI for business verification, helping compliance teams cross-reference customer-provided details with official company registry data. AI accelerates the verification process by flagging discrepancies quickly, saving teams valuable time. Recently, we've also integrated AI into our proof of address checks, which is essential given the variety of document templates and formats we encounter.
What challenges do your customers face, and how does iDenfy address them?
The challenges vary by industry. When it comes to e-commerce, fraud prevention, particularly credit card fraud, is a huge concern. Whereas, in the gambling sector, verifying users can be tricky, and for fintechs, the challenge is often about streamlining manual operations.
iDenfy simplifies this by offering a more efficient, hybrid verification process, reducing human error and saving time. Regardless of the challenge, we have tailored solutions for each use case.
Our hybrid verification method is what really sets us apart. While most providers rely purely on automated verification, we add a human element, ensuring real-time, 24/7 support to correct mistakes as they happen. This increases accuracy, reduces errors, and improves approval rates.
Our flexibility also means you only pay for the verifications that pass, offering businesses more control over their costs. We’re one of the few identity verification providers offering business verification as well, which is a rapidly growing need. We’re also known for our exceptional customer support. Our clients consistently rate us highly for responsiveness and effectiveness.
How did iDenfy start, and what is its mission?
iDenfy was founded in 2015 after CEO, Domantas Ciulde, identified a growing problem while working in internet security: fraudulent transactions using stolen credit cards. Our CEO had a prototype for face-scanning technology, and it was perfect timing to launch the company. What started as a response to online fraud quickly grew into a full-scale ambition to provide businesses with the most reliable and secure digital identity verification tools, while keeping the process smooth and user-friendly.
Today, our mission is to make the Internet a safer place by protecting businesses and their customers from identity fraud, money laundering, and other digital threats. We have focused on continuous product improvement, expanding into risk assessment and fraud prevention tools.
One of our proudest moments has been diversifying our product offerings. When we first started, we focused solely on individual identity verification, but now we offer a suite of solutions, including business verification, bank account verification via open banking,and fraud prevention tools. This evolution has allowed us to tap into new markets and expand our client base significantly.
How does iDenfy stay ahead of regulatory changes?
We are constantly monitoring regulatory changes, especially with the dynamic landscape of data privacy and KYC compliance. To ensure we’re ahead of the curve, we’ve implemented certifications like ISO 27001 and SOC 2. This allows us to offer the highest standards in data security, and we’re proud to be recognized globally for our efforts in data protection and compliance.
How do you collaborate with strategic partners like Enable Banking?
Strategic partnerships are crucial to the value we provide to our clients. For instance, we work closely with Enable Banking, an open banking provider, to integrate open banking into our solutions.
Enable Banking’s open banking connectivity allows us to access real-time bank account data securely and compliantly. The integration adds another layer of verification, helping businesses confirm that customers not only exist but also have access to legitimate bank accounts. This collaboration allows us to offer more comprehensive and accurate identity checks.
Can you tell us a little bit about how iDenfy is using open banking?
Open banking is still relatively new, but we already see strong potential in using it as a method of identity verification. It complements traditional approaches like biometric checks or ID document verification. With partners like Enable Banking, we’re able to offer an additional layer of verification that confirms whether a person or business has access to a legitimate bank account. This is especially valuable during business onboarding, where companies need to confirm that the entity they’re onboarding is real and has authorized access to banking services. It’s a powerful addition to our hybrid verification process.
What role does Enable Banking play in improving your client experience?
Enable Banking helps us diversify the identity verification methods we can offer. Not every business wants to rely solely on ID documents or facial recognition, some prefer alternative options. Through our collaboration, we’re able to offer bank account verification as a seamless alternative or supplement, giving our clients greater flexibility in how they onboard and verify users.
What’s the best part of working with Enable Banking?
Honestly, it’s the strong relationship and open communication. I see the Enable Banking team more often than some of my own colleagues, which says a lot! That close collaboration makes a big difference. It not only helps with product development but also creates a solid foundation for how our companies grow and innovate together.
How do you envision the future of identity verification?
The identity verification market is evolving quickly, especially with the rise of digital IDs and electronic verification methods. In some regions, digital driver’s licenses and identity wallets are already becoming the standard, and this trend is only expected to grow. In the next five years, I see more electronic verification methods replacing traditional physical documents, which will streamline onboarding and reduce fraud risks.
Emerging AI technologies are already having a huge impact on both sides of the fraud equation. On one side of the coin, AI is one of our greatest assets in spotting anomalies, automating verification, and flagging suspicious behaviour in milliseconds. Yet, on the other hand AI is increasingly being used by fraudsters to create more sophisticated attacks. It is being used to generate synthetic identities and deepfakes that are frighteningly convincing. It’s almost like an arms race, where the trick is not just to keep up, but to anticipate the next evolution of fraudsters and the increasingly minute details that could indicate fraud. At iDenfy, we don’t just see AI as a tool, but as a moving target. It’s learning, adapting, evolving. And so are we.
The exciting part of this, which is also a bit terrifying, is that the same tools that make fraud more dangerous also open doors to smarter, more human-centric security. We’re exploring how behavioural biometrics, real-time risk scoring, and even anomaly prediction could change the game entirely. At the end of the day, this isn’t just about data. It’s about trust. And in a digital world where faces can be faked and voices cloned, trust has never been more valuable.
If iDenfy were a movie character or superhero, who would it be and why?
Definitely the Hulk! In the development phase, we’re like a bunch of nerds, super focused on building the best product. But when it’s time to bring that product to market, we turn into the Hulk, fighting to be the best at what we do!
What's the most unexpected or humorous identity verification challenge you've encountered?
I’d say verifying a deceased person! That was definitely unexpected, but it’s a part of the job that keeps us on our toes.
What advice would you give companies looking to improve customer onboarding and fraud prevention processes?
The most crucial step is to implement a verification process that combines automation with human oversight. Automation is great, but without human review, errors and fraud can slip through the cracks. Having a hybrid approach, like we do at iDenfy, ensures accuracy while improving efficiency.
Finally, how can businesses interested in iDenfy solutions get in touch?
It’s simple! You can reach out to me directly on LinkedIn, via email, or through our website. Whether you're in Vilnius or elsewhere, we’re always happy to have a chat and explore how we can support your business.
iDenfy is transforming identity verification with a secure and scalable platform that combines advanced AI with human expertise. Through their partnership with Enable Banking, an open banking provider, iDenfy enhances KYC and fraud prevention by incorporating real-time financial data, helping businesses verify real users with greater confidence. Together, we’re building a digital ecosystem founded on trust, accuracy, and seamless compliance.
If you're ready to strengthen your verification process with open banking, we’d love to support you.