Corporate Fraud ― The Human Factor

Corporate fraud is unlike any other risk that an organisation has to manage. It requires us to believe that we can be deceived by individuals that we know, trust and do business with – one of life’s 'inconvenient truths'. So, we often choose to believe many of the myths that prevail: 'our people would not commit fraud'... 'fraud couldn’t happen to us, we’re a stable organisation'... 'we would know quickly if it happened, we watch the vulnerable areas'.

The fact is that people are driven by complex motivations and fraudsters exploit opportunities and gaps in the fabric of their organisation, particularly during times of change. Notable cases include Bernard Madoff's $65 Billion fake Ponzi Scheme, and the Libor manipulation by Barclays who were consequently fined ￡450 million. To spot a fraud early relies on looking at the organisation through a different lens that brings the fraud trail into focus – you have to think like a fraudster, know what you are looking for and develop practical anti-fraud strategies. There are relatively few truly unique fraud schemes, but the nature of the trail and details change with economic development, advances in technology, and the emergence of new business models.

Drawing on the practical experiences of fraud investigators from across the world, in this book we provide perspectives to help you identify the many guises of the 'fraud trail' - taking into account cultural, technological and social factors. Through stories of ordinary and extraordinary frauds and fraudsters and those that have investigated them, we will provide a 'fraud lens' - helping you to protect your organisation and spot the warning signs before a small problem becomes a huge fraud which could threaten its future.

Maryam Kennedy is a Partner in the Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services team at Ernst & Young LLP.
She has been profiled in the Financial Times and led bribery and corruption, accounting manipulation and regulatory investigations in Africa, the former Soviet Republics, Latin America and Europe. Using this practical experience, Maryam advises on design and implementation of anti-fraud and corruption programs in the public and private sector.