Board Advisor – Fraud, Ethics, Governance, Risk Assessment/Management, Compliance, Internal Audit, & Anti-Corruption Strategist
While we can’t get into the mind of the white collar criminal, we can take a closer look at high-profile individuals who have perpetrated massive fraud at corporations and instances of fraud identified in practice, as well as some research, to help is identify a pattern of similar behavioral elements common to white-collar crooks and cultural elements common to their environments.
Today’s fraudster is clever and operates in an environment ripe for criminal activity. Economic unrest
is making it easier for employees to find ways to set fraud in motion – and a new breed of offenders is finding cunning ways to do so. After more than 60 years, the classic fraud triangle of three elements or events that motivate an employee to cross the line has morphed into The Fraud Pentagon.
Company boards and senior management must take an offensive stance against the five conditions that precipitate fraud with
a clear plan that limits the opportunity for fraud and minimizes the impact when fraud does occur.
In the forensics world we always strive to eliminate any debate about our findings not being grounded in the evidence.
A healthy dose of professional skepticism is essential in fighting fraud, even if it goes against human nature to be
