A system and method for conducting money transfer transactions using mobile devices includes a money transfer host computer that facilitates the collection of fingerprint data for the mobile devices and personal data for users of the mobile devices. The personal data can include a user photo. In order to enable the mobile devices, both the fingerprint data and the personal data are collected, and at least the personal data is verified. To authorize transactions at an enabled mobile device, the fingerprint data and personal data are compared to reference data, and based on the comparison and on a threshold established for the comparison, a transaction is authorized or rejected.