- Home/Publications/Fraud Intelligence
Global public sector corruption perception levels obstinately high, TI index shows
Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, released on Tuesday (30 January 2024), has scored 122 of 180 countries worldwide below 50 on perceived levels of public sector corruption, on a range from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
Online Published Date:
09 February 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
Increased compelled powers for the UK Serious Fraud Office
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023 but it was on 15 January 2024 that section 211 came into effect, which expands the scope of the Serious Fraud Office's powers to compel individuals to provide documents and information. Mark Jones and Henry Watkinson of Payne Hicks Beach examine the change.
Online Published Date:
09 February 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
Chinese checkers
Due diligence and investigations in China for overseas clients, always to be handled with care, says Mark Godfrey, now call for even greater sensitivity in an atmosphere of heightened geopolitical tension and distrust.
Online Published Date:
09 February 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
Disclosure: beware of ambushing tactics
The recent decision in AXA Insurance v Kryeziu, a low-value insurance dispute, provides welcome clarification of what is required of victims of fraud in both their pleadings and disclosure, and the consequences of failing to comply. The lessons are drawn by Philip Gardner and Abbie Melvin of Peters & Peters.
Online Published Date:
09 February 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
UK failing to hold executives accountable for economic crime
Senior executives at the top of large companies involved in bribery, fraud and other economic crime almost never face any consequences in the UK, according to a damning 7 February report from lobby and campaign group Spotlight on Corruption.
Online Published Date:
09 February 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
UK SFO director favours whistleblower payments and covert techniques
Nick Ephgrave intends the Serious Fraud Office to "be bolder, more pragmatic, more proactive" during his tenure as director. In his first speech since taking office last September, Ephgrave, who previously served at the top of the Metropolitan Police, told the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) audience that "we have already gone through more front doors [in dawn raids] in the last three months than in the last three years".
Online Published Date:
14 February 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
AI and machine learning in anti-fraud set to soar - ACFE study
The ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners) has released data predicting that the use of AI and machine learning systems in anti-fraud programmes is expected to triple worldwide over the next three years.
Online Published Date:
15 February 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
Warnings grow about UK local government graft
Concern is growing that the current legal framework in the UK fails to provide effective measures to tackle corruption in local government. Lack of resources and expertise dedicated to investigating and prosecuting corruption cases adds to the difficulties.
Online Published Date:
16 February 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
UK survey tracks doubling in total fraud for higher value cases
The total value of fraud in the UK, for cases reported in the media where the sum was at least UK£50,000 (US$63,000), more than doubled last year to UK£2.3 billion (US$2.9 billion), according to accountancy and business advisory firm BDO's latest 'FraudTrack' analysis.
Online Published Date:
21 February 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
LockBit ransomware back after law enforcement cyber raid
Ransomware group LockBit is claiming to be back in business less than a week after it was disabled in an international operation led by Britain's National Crime Agency.
Online Published Date:
29 February 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
Crypto criminals netted US$24.2 billion in 2023, says Chainalysis
Crypto criminals netted at least US$24.2 billion worldwide in 2023 from scams, hacking, ransomware and other illicit uses of cyberspace, according to preliminary findings by American blockchain consultants Chainalysis.
Online Published Date:
07 March 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
UK side payments to Saudis for defence contracts spotlit in trial
British government complicity in a Saudi Arabia corruption scandal saw two accused acquitted in London's Southwark Crown Court on 6 March, despite both admitting to paying bribes to secure defence contracts.
Online Published Date:
14 March 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
Untrue to type - fraudster traits
Are there tell-tale and fail-safe signs of future, or current, dishonesty on which we can rely? Paul Cochrane and Keith Nuthallgo in search.
Online Published Date:
14 March 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
Trust in balance - control checks
However high fraud levels are, there are limits on the checks that can be performed, or business and public administration would seize up entirely. Indeed, with the increasing influence of risk-based approaches in fighting crime, Keith Nuthalldiscovers that an optimal anti-fraud strategy is as much about choosing what to trust as what to suspect.
Online Published Date:
15 March 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
Same and different - crypto
Cryptocurrency-based scams are often just a new twist on tried and tested schemes involving fiat currency, but the increasing variety and complexity of virtual asset offerings do also present fresh opportunities for bad actors, finds Keith Nuthall.
Online Published Date:
15 March 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
The fraud prevention jigsaw
Scammers leave their footprint across the various infrastructure channels that are necessary to perpetrate their scheme. So, how can we piece together information about their trail, to stop fraudsters in their tracks? Mark Tierney reports on steps to quit playing whack-a-mole and take a systematic approach.
Online Published Date:
19 March 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
Occupational fraud costs organisations 5% of annual revenue - ACFE survey
Occupational fraud is costing private and publicorganisations worldwide 5% of their annual revenue, with losses topping US$1 million in 22% of cases and averaging US$1.7 million, according to the latest global survey from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).
Online Published Date:
20 March 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
EU currents - law enforcement gains cross-border momentum; VAT fraud blitz
The effectiveness of collaboration by national and international law enforcement agencies has been demonstrated by recent raids and arrests in the European Union (EU).
Online Published Date:
21 March 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
SFO and company lawyers discuss ECCTA exposure
The United Kingdom's new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) leaves companies significantly more vulnerable to committing a primary offence as well as to an omission in preventing an array of fraud categories. Experts at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Europe conference in March discussed the ramifications, reports Esther Martin.
Online Published Date:
21 March 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024
Practical steps for internal investigations
When potential wrongdoing is raised in an organisation, experience proves that a structured and phased approach, rather than knee-jerk reactions, will achieve the best results. Caroline Day and Matthew Burn of Kingsley Napley set out a plan of action and key legal considerations.
Online Published Date:
21 March 2024
Appeared in issue:
April/May 2024 - 09 February 2024