CASE STUDY

Stopping AI-driven fraud to defend rebate program integrity

Beer, Wine & Spirits Rebates

Published April 1, 2026

Objective

The primary goal for this initiative was to increase the retail volume of a leading spirits-based seltzer brand during the peak summer months. By offering a $5 digital rebate, the brand wanted to incentivize both new trial and repeat purchase behavior across a wide national footprint.

The client's primary objectives were to:

  • Incentivize retail purchases: Drive consumer movement toward multi-pack and single-can formats at the shelf.
  • Streamline digital participation: Create a frictionless landing page for receipt uploads that allowed for rapid validation.
  • Ensure payout accuracy: Implement strict guardrails to verify eligibility and proof of purchase before any funds were distributed.
  • Protect brand capital: Safeguard the rebate pool from professional fraud rings using sophisticated submission tactics.

The Arrowhead Approach

We executed a comprehensive management strategy that combined digital convenience with rigorous manual oversight.

1

Custom landing page development

Our team built a mobile-first landing page specifically for receipt uploads. This allowed consumers to participate in the "alcohol cashback" offer instantly from their mobile devices while still at the point of sale.

2

Agile mid-campaign adaptation

When the client identified shifting market needs, our developers implemented rapid technical updates to the validation parameters. This flexibility allowed the program to remain relevant and effective throughout the entire summer lifecycle.

3

Multi-layered fraud mitigation

To defend the $5 payout, we utilized a combination of automated filters and manual expert review. Our team identified several sophisticated fraud patterns, including: Email Domain Analysis: Detecting high-volume submissions from mismatched names and suspicious email domains. Digital Image Forensics: Identifying "synthetic receipts" that utilized identical backgrounds and mirrored tear patterns across multiple submissions. Behavioral Audits: Flagging high-value cash payments and identical transaction totals that signaled non-human purchasing behavior.

Results

The program successfully drove significant retail volume while maintaining a high standard of fiscal responsibility. By combining automated technical guardrails with manual human review, we ensured the rebate reached legitimate brand advocates rather than professional fraud syndicates.

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