Fresh Estate Fraud Case Unfolds In South Carolina

Fresh Estate Fraud Case Unfolds In South Carolina

A new estate fraud case is center-stage in South Carolina’s courts. The Palmetto state has been a hotbed of probate, trust and conservator fraud cases dating back more than half a decade: In March 2023, attorney Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murdering his wife and son. But years before the high-profile attorney was tried for murder, Murdaugh was tied to the disappearance of $4.2 million of his client’s insurance money, of which he was a trustee. Months before the Murdaugh trial, Russell Laffitte, the CEO of Palmetto State Bank, was convicted of fraud in federal court for using the money of his trust clients to make loans that were hidden from and did not benefit his trust clients.

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Fraud Perspectives: Nonfungible Tokens  

Fraud Perspectives: Nonfungible Tokens  

In the third webinar of the Fraud Perspectives series, presented by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), Mason Wilder, Research Manager at the ACFE, chatted with Kishan Patel, CIA, CITP, CPA, and Chris DeAngelis, CFE, about nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and their role in the current anti-fraud landscape. A confusing and often abstract concept, NFTs have made headlines recently as an innovative new technology with the potential to revolutionize various industries. While NFTs offer numerous benefits, such as increased security and unique ownership, they also present new fraud risks. Understanding these risks and how to mitigate them is essential for organizations that are considering investing in NFTs. 

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Uncovering Financial Mismanagement: A Case of Investment Risks and Investigation

Uncovering Financial Mismanagement: A Case of Investment Risks and Investigation

Investing in any business can be a risk, and unfortunately, some investors fall victim to fraudulent schemes. We helped a group of investors who had invested USD $100 million in an educational institution providing coaching services for competitive examinations. The investors were concerned about the institution's operations and suspected that their funds were being misused. Our team of experts took on the case, employing a range of techniques and procedures to uncover the truth.

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Antwerp’s Diamond Trade: A Brilliant Tale of Risky Business Practices

Antwerp’s Diamond Trade: A Brilliant Tale of Risky Business Practices

Secretive and exclusive, Antwerp has been the heart of the global diamond trade since the 15th century when the Belgian city was the commercial heart of Europe, with 40% of world trade crossing its ports via old trade routes connecting Venice to Lisbon. According to the Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC), about 1,700 companies and 4,500 traders concentrated in an area of about one square kilometer trade 84% of all rough diamonds worldwide. Although facing competition from India and the Middle East, Antwerp’s multi-million-dollar deals are still concluded with a handshake and the Yiddish words “mazel und broche” (“luck and blessing”). Are we certain diamonds are a blessing for all?

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