RECAP: 2015 ACFE Canadian Fraud Conference

GUEST BLOGGER

Allan Bachman, CFE
ACFE Education Manager

Upon arriving for the first time in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, I was enchanted by the friendly and walkable city, as well as the pleasant weather. The 2015 ACFE Canadian Fraud Conference kicked off Sunday, August 30, with a Pre-Conference session led by ACFE faculty member Bethmara Kessler, CFE, CISA. The well-received session on building a culture of fraud prevention and detection discussed how companies can imbed anti-fraud approaches into the very culture of their organization, including approaches as to how to achieve that goal.

ACFE President and CEO Jim Ratley played to his strengths in Monday’s opening General Session and discussed aspects of interviewing techniques backed by video examples of how to interview witnesses and suspects in a fraud examination. Lynn Danis from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre discussed her organization and how they work with their call center and law enforcement throughout Canada to assist those in need of help with suspected fraud.

Tuesday morning was kicked off by best-selling author and editor Diane Francis, who holds dual citizenship in both Canada and the U.S. Francis was outspoken about her journalistic fraud experiences in both countries and shared the clear and present dangers facing fraud examiners in the world today. Deloitte’s Philip Fodchuk spoke during lunch on the current cyberthreats facing organizations, where they are coming and what can be done to prepare for them. He focused on developing an internal mechanism whereby companies can react quickly when a breach occurs and respond. A large part of his message was that it was too late for prevention.

Wednesday’s half-day session kicked off with keynote Paul Garside, CFE,  former RCMP officer, who spoke on investigations and financial crimes and Michel Juneau-Katsuya. Juneau-Katsuya gave an engaging and lively analysis of the current state of corporate espionage, which was very enlightening.

Among the new group breakout speakers who stood out this year were Simon Padgett’s “Profiling the Fraudster,” Brigeeta Richdale’s presentation on ethics and Keith Elliott’s session on using social media for surveillance. 

17th Annual Canadian Fraud Conference Heads Back to Toronto

GUEST BLOGGER

Allan Bachman, CFE
ACFE Education Manager

In an article published Wednesday in Canadian Business, it was reported that fraud costs Canadians almost $10 billion annually, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Hopefully Canadians can sleep a little easier this holiday season, and add save a little more money, when the Canadian Fraud Conference heads back to Toronto in November. The ACFE is known for holding a number of international events and conferences. Brussels hosted our European Conference for the first time this past April. Singapore is on the schedule for our Asia-Pacific Conference, Oct. 23-25, and we will head back to Toronto this year to host the 17^th Annual Canadian Fraud Conference, Nov. 27-30. I have attended every conference in Toronto since becoming education manager and I always have a good time. Over the years I have met and become friends with many members, volunteers, attendees and speakers who make this conference the unique and valuable event that it is.

This year’s conference will be a special event. ACFE President and CEO James D. Ratley, CFE, will return to Canada after a several year absence and will speak on “The Future of Fraud: Canada, the USA and the World.” Jim gave a variation of this keynote in Brussels and was very well received there with his view of what is on the horizon for anti-fraud professionals.

Closing the conference will be the noted, prolific and very entertaining Jeffrey Robinson, author of the best-selling book, The Laundrymen - Inside Money Laundering, The World's Third Largest Business and the upcoming, The Takedown: A Suburban Mom, A Coal Miner's Son, and The Unlikely Demise of Colombia's Brutal Norte Valle Cartel. Jeffrey is a lively speaker and knowledgeable on all aspects of fraud. His address, “The New Fraud,” will certainly have everyone talking.

We will also host four additional keynote speakers and 12 breakout sessions featuring popular speakers from previous conferences with new topics, as well as many new speakers. Included among the breakout session topics scheduled are, “Taking Electronic Evidence to the Next Level” and “Understanding Generation Y: Their Behaviour, Their Attitude, Their Fraud.”

As we have every year, we will host a Pre-Conference session on Sunday, Nov. 27. This year’s Baker Award winner Don Rabon, CFE, will teach his highly-acclaimed interviewing course which is always popular, informative and entertaining.

What makes each international conference so interesting to me is the idea that while we have much in common as fraud fighters, we are all each facing fraud issues particular to our country and region. I look forward to seeing many friends and colleagues again this November. Stay tuned for more announcements.