Global

Canadian casino money laundering exposes greater fraud problems

A report on money laundering in Canadian casinos by drug-trafficking gangs exposes more than just gamblers showing up with bundles of $20 bills. Here’s a lesson for fraud examiners whose blinders might force them to focus on just one type of fraud.

Emerging markets conundrum

Organizations are expanding into promising emerging markets. But they’re often encountering market volatility, geopolitical risks, weakening currency and fluctuations, and complex local laws, which can cause fraud and corruption risks. Here’s how to avoid some pitfalls.

5 most scandalous fraud cases of 2018

The ACFE has found that large, noteworthy fraud cases — like Enron or Bernie Madoff — will live on in infamy and can provide valuable lessons for fraud fighters. That’s why we, along with input from our members, have selected these five stories of 2018 as the most scandalous frauds of 2018. We chose the stories based on money lost, lives impacted and relevance to the anti-fraud profession.

Journalist finds strength in numbers to keep truth alive

Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Bastian Obermayer isn’t afraid of investigating the global elite. He’s spent his career digging into the uncomfortable truths of Nazi war criminals, abusive Catholic priests and crooked politicians. Obermayer set into motion the largest collaborative event in the history of journalism when he initiated the Panama Papers. He’ll receive the ACFE’s Guardian Award and speak at the 30th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference in Austin, Texas, June 23-28.

Spoofed emails enable purchase-order fraud

This case involved a Nigerian crime ring that stole Apple computers and devices by impersonating U.S. defense officials. Make sure purchase orders pass the “smell test,” and call agencies to confirm.

Jewelry magnate on the run after fraud exposed

Nirav Modi supposedly was one of the richest men in India. He came from a respected family and had close connections to the government. Could he really have pulled off a huge banking fraud to finance his business ventures?

South Asia follows parallel roads of burgeoning economy and escalating fraud

It’s a familiar story. A country or region finally is prosperous, but inevitably fraud and corruption increase. Here are some infamous South Asian cases and ways the region has battled what affluence wrought.

U.S. Navy corruption on the high seas

The $35 million “Fat Leonard” corruption scandal threatens to decimate an entire generation of experienced U.S. Navy officers. What unfolds is the rise and fall of the defense contractor who bought off Navy brass with meals, liquor, women and bribes.

Africa needs solid education to fight fraud

When corruption thrives and dirty money is kept in offshore accounts, Africa’s high levels of poverty remain. How do we reverse the trend? The solution lies in reviving countries’ primary educational standards and increasing fraud awareness and education.

Nordic nations' corruption fight remains strong

A recurring theme of scandals bringing down Iceland prime ministers illustrates citizens’ intolerance toward corruption. Yet are attitudes, protests and political repercussions enough to reverse the trend of worsening corruption in Iceland and other Nordic nations?

Are the prices of cryptocurrencies being manipulated?

Investors and regulators are concerned that cryptocurrencies are highly susceptible to price manipulation. This danger is particularly pronounced for the hundreds of small, thinly traded “altcoins” that have popped up in the wake of the success of bitcoin and Ethereum. In February, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued an advisory warning investors that these small virtual currencies are targets for pump-and-dump schemes.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) defines personal data as information relating to an identifiable individual, directly or indirectly. That word “indirectly” is important. By having indirect identification in scope, the regulation acknowledges that the traces one leaves behind online aren’t always the obvious descriptors like names and addresses.