Using Spatial Analysis for Monitoring Fraud in a Public Delivery Program

In this article, fraud in public delivery programs is approached using spatial analysis. By examining welfare recipients' consumer behaviors in a spatial framework, it is possible to identify stores that draw an anomalous clientele, such as those who travel long distances and avoid stores in their local area, indicating that these stores may be committing fraud. This article shows how this idea can be operationalized for monitoring fraud to secure public accountability.