Investigation

Golden opportunities

Tom Golden’s latest thriller is not only entertaining but it’s also a handy case study of a fraud investigation. The veteran fraud investigator and forensic accountant talks to us about what he’s learned, how the ACFE made all the difference to his illustrious career and why we need more CFEs.

Fraud's fertile breeding ground

Any economic disruption leaves businesses vulnerable to fraud both from within and outside an organization. Here we look at how today’s bottlenecks along global supply chains are creating the potential for financial wrongdoing in the coming months and what fraud examiners and auditors should know to prevent it.

Fraud risk in a cryptocurrency world

Businesses and consumers across the globe are quickly adopting cryptocurrencies in daily transactions. And many organizations are scrambling to catch up with this evolving technological innovation. Here’s an update on this new means of exchange, key fraud risks and how CFEs can help with the responsible adoption of crypto.

Attack bid-rigging, price fixing and other collusion frauds

Price-fixing, bid-rigging and allocation agreements are conspiracies you should always be looking for. These experts in illegal and anti-competitive collusion show you how to detect red flags and prevent these crimes. And they give you tips on how to leverage data analysis and cross-border cooperation.

Agents of change

Over the past 20 years or so, Africa has seen an exponential growth in anti-corruption agencies as governments across the continent seek to fight what’s still considered to be an endemic problem. Here we look at the history behind ACAs, some case studies and how CFEs can assist in these efforts.

Fraudster gets 30-year prison sentence, Social Security fraud and more

A man gets a 30-year prison sentence for a Ponzi scheme; a woman is accused of Social Security fraud after her husband's death; and alleged members of the cybercriminal group, REvil, are arrested.

Supply disruptions and the need for vigilance

From paper to computer chips, products we once took for granted have become precious commodities as the global supply chain cracks under the weight of labor shortages and renewed demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. And as every fraud examiner knows, whenever there’s a need for a product or service, fraudsters are there to exploit it for their own gain.

Hot-ticket tokens

Non-fungible tokens are all the rage in the crypto world, potentially revolutionizing the sale of everything from art to real estate. But their complexity and the public’s poor understanding of the new technology make NFTs perfect vehicles for fraudsters.

Minding your own business: Preventing payroll fraud with internal controls

Small businesses are particularly susceptible to payroll fraud, and they can go under as a result. Here’s a story about a controller who used many tricks in the books to rob a medical practice and some lessons on how to detect and avoid such scams.

Timothy Pikas, CFE

Reflecting on Enron and lessons learned

When I first started teaching fraud at the university level about 20 years ago, I had no idea that I was about to be handed a case study like no other. A few months later the now-infamous accounting scandal at Enron hit the headlines, and the once-celebrated energy firm collapsed in disgrace soon thereafter.

Adjusting to a new reality

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we work and provided an opportunity for fraudsters to scam the populace like never before. The ACFE Board of Regents looks back on its experiences and provides advice on how to fight fraud in this post-coronavirus landscape.