SAS, Capgemini to combat welfare fraud

Predictive analytics software maker SAS has formalised a partnership with consultancy Capgemini aimed at tax and welfare fraud prevention for government agencies.

The two firms said they had worked on projects for Britain's HM Revenue & Customs and India's Maharashtra Sales Tax Department, and decided to come together more formally to jointly address fraud issues.

They hoped to target government agencies in Asia Pacific, among other regions.

Capgemini said that "more sophisticated approaches to protecting tax revenues and tackling benefits fraud and improper payments" could help agencies in developed countries reign in spending, uncover tax evasion and identify "fraud rings".