Global

No truce in cyberwars

With people increasingly living their lives online, fraudsters have never had easier access to potential victims. COVID-19 has only accelerated that trend. Indeed, business is booming for cybercriminals now focused on high-value organizations. Fraud Magazine talks to cyber expert Robert Herjavec and CFEs about how best to tackle this ever-evolving threat.

Deciphering the cyber threat

Game-changing digital background checks and asset searches

Fraud examiners understand the importance of knowing whom you’re doing business with. From compliance and due diligence to investigative asset tracing, solid background-checking skills are key tools for CFEs. But beyond traditional methods, new techniques are emerging to greatly enhance business transparency — and some may surprise you.

Ponzi schemes and the pandemic . . . a perfect storm?

If 2020 wasn’t bad enough, some experts believe the COVID-19 pandemic is creating the perfect conditions for an increase in Ponzi schemes. Here’s some advice on how best to deal with this type of fraud and why these schemes persist.

Managing insider-fraud risks in a pandemic

Insider-fraud risks are on the rise as the economic and psychological fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic takes its toll on organizations and their employees. Understanding these risks and knowing how to manage them will be an important part of many CFEs’ jobs.

Is a U.K. version of SOX compliance on the horizon?

The U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 mandated strict reforms to existing securities regulations and imposed tough new penalties on lawbreakers. The U.K. might soon adopt similar legislation, which could significantly change board responsibility for fraud risk management and increase demand for anti-fraud professionals.

32nd Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference builds on 2020’s breakthrough event

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last June, the ACFE pivoted the ACFE Global Fraud Conference to a virtual format to keep attendees, speakers and sponsors safe. The ACFE stood firm in its commitment to provide quality education and resources for anti-fraud professionals, and it delivered. More than 4,000 fraud fighters gathered virtually in a breakthrough format to share knowledge, network with like-minded professionals and learn from the industry’s top leaders.

Global deforestation facilitated via fraud

Illegal logging companies in the Amazon regions, which are driving deforestation, are using multiple fraud schemes. They include fake or forged permits based on fraudulent information; corruption and collusion of and with officials who are supposed to enforce timber regulations; and front companies to avoid taxes.

Fake calls from Amazon and Apple, vaccine scams, strengthening passwords

Amazon and Apple aren’t calling you to warn you of suspicious activity. And vaccine scammers are here. Plus don’t get lax in concocting new passwords.

Cobalt blues

The battery in your cellphone could be powered by cobalt derived from copper that exploited “artisanal miners” — often children — hand dug from open-pit mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But a new DRC government could crack down on the illegal awarding of mine licenses, permits and contracts. And blockchain could make supply chains more transparent.