Faces of Fraud: Cases and Lessons from a Life Fighting Fraudsters

Book description

The ultimate tool for understanding, investigating and preventing fraud

Fraud is an evil with a life of its own that leaves a financial, repetitional, and emotional toll on its victims. While monumental scandals, such as Enron, WorldCom, and Madoff's Ponzi scheme make the front pages, fraud is a daily occurrence impacting companies and individuals alike. Faces of Fraud reveals must-know characteristics of fraudsters and the skills needed to outwit them. Recognized Fraud Fighting Expert Martin Biegelman draws from his 40 years of experience fighting fraud to profile not only the key traits fraudsters share, but also the qualities fraud examiners must possess to be successful.

  • Each chapter contains stories from actual cases that the author investigated

  • Profiles the must-know characteristics of fraudsters and the skills you'll need to outwit them

  • Reveals the traits of accomplished fraud examiners

  • Explores the best practices in fraud detection, investigation and prevention to cultivate in order to maximize success

  • Written by fraud fighting expert Martin T. Biegelman

  • Although fraud will never be completely eradicated, there is much that can be done to reduce the number and size of frauds that take place in any organization. Boiling down the key lessons the author has culled from his long career, Faces of Fraud entertains and informs with stories from real cases the author investigated over his long career, and imparts useful tips you can start using right away in the fraud examination field.

    Table of contents

    1. Cover
    2. Praise for Faces of Fraud: Cases and Lessons from a Life Fighting Fraudsters
    3. Title Page
    4. Copyright
    5. Dedication
    6. Preface
    7. Acknowledgments
    8. Chapter 1: The Fraudster Mindset
      1. A Silver-Tongued Devil
      2. Sell the Sizzle, Not the Steak
      3. Dr. Donald Cressey and the Fraud Triangle
      4. Fraud Diamond
      5. Fraud Theories
      6. Fraudster Mindset
      7. Notes
    9. Chapter 2: A Short History of Fraud in America
      1. Growth of Mail Fraud
      2. Green Goods Swindles
      3. Grifters
      4. Baker Heirs' Swindle
      5. Golden Age of Fraud
      6. Rise of Boiler Rooms and Bucket Shops
      7. Other Frauds over the Years
      8. Enactment of the Mail Fraud Statute
      9. The Continuous Onslaught of Fraud
      10. Notes
    10. Chapter 3: Use Your Imagination
      1. The Mob Stings Fraudsters
      2. Making the Typewriter Talk
      3. Where the Law of Gravity Doesn't Apply
      4. Welfare for the Deceased
      5. The Value of Imagination
    11. Chapter 4: Make Yourself Lucky
      1. Fraudster Stupidity Is Your Friend
      2. One Man's Trash Is an Investigator's Gold
      3. Let Them Talk
      4. Arson for Profit Case: Impeaching the Defense Expert
      5. One Federal Agent's Attention to Detail
      6. Look and You Shall Find
      7. Don't Take No for an Answer
      8. If You Don't Ask, You Will Never Know
      9. Notes
    12. Chapter 5: Patience Is a Virtue
      1. Stopping a Fraud Scheme
      2. New York State of Fraud
      3. Recommendations to Prevent Property Insurance Fraud
    13. Chapter 6: Fraud Can Be Murder
      1. Good Humor Ice Cream Scandal
      2. Bad Ham and Bribes
      3. Golden Needles Acupuncture
      4. Blast from the Past
      5. Security Guard Indignity
      6. Next Time Dead
      7. Notes
    14. Chapter 7: Arrogance and Recidivism
      1. If You Are Here, You Are Not As Smart As You Think You Are
      2. Arrogance Is Common
      3. Arrogance and Recidivism Often Go Hand-in-Hand
      4. Arrogance and Rebate Fraud
      5. Making It a True Federal Case
      6. Fraudsters Say and Do the Darndest Things
      7. Notes
    15. Chapter 8: Informants and Whistleblowers: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
      1. Managing Confidential Informants
      2. Informants Gone Bad
      3. Falling in Love with an Informant
      4. Nightmare Informants
      5. A Rogue FBI Agent Strikes a Deal with Two Devils
      6. Avoid a Failed Investigation
      7. Notes
    16. Chapter 9: A Tale of Deceitful Pitches and Vendor Kickbacks
      1. History of American Chemical Industries
      2. Description of the Fraud Scheme
      3. Detection and Investigation
      4. The Continuing Investigation
      5. Prosecution
      6. Special Circumstances
      7. Fraud Prevention
    17. Chapter 10: Cruise to Nowhere
      1. Description of the Fraud Scheme
      2. Detection
      3. Investigation
      4. Factoring of Credit Card Charges
      5. Investigative Reporting
      6. Execution of Search Warrant
      7. Circularization
      8. Undercover Trip
      9. Prosecution
      10. Special Circumstances
      11. Fraud Prevention
      12. Investigative Best Practices
      13. Note
    18. Chapter 11: Who's Who of Fraud: A Story of Vanity and Deception
      1. The Making of a Fraudster
      2. Fraud Scheme
      3. Investigation
      4. Prosecution
      5. Special Circumstances and Additional Fraud
      6. Postscript
    19. Chapter 12: Kids and Coins: Scoundrels without a Conscience
      1. Genesis of the Fraud
      2. Description of the Fraud Scheme
      3. Investigation
      4. Prosecution
      5. Special Circumstances
      6. Fraud Prevention
      7. Notes
    20. Chapter 13: More Tips, Best Practices, and Lessons
      1. Become a Subject Matter Expert
      2. Documents, Documents, and More Documents
      3. Remember the Boy Scout Motto
      4. Why I Love Liars
      5. Fraudsters Love Expense Report Fraud
      6. San Francisco Metergate
      7. Yellow Pages Invoice Scam
      8. Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men Often Go Awry
      9. Notes
    21. Chapter 14: Power of Prosecution and Prevention
      1. Fraud Prevention for Individuals
      2. Fraud Prevention for Business Organizations
      3. Fraudsters Are the Same Everywhere
      4. Fraud Is the Golden Goose for Criminals
      5. It's Déjà vu All Over Again
      6. Sadly, Fraud Is Here to Stay
      7. Notes
    22. About the Author
    23. Index

    Product information

    • Title: Faces of Fraud: Cases and Lessons from a Life Fighting Fraudsters
    • Author(s):
    • Release date: January 2013
    • Publisher(s): Wiley
    • ISBN: 9781118002742