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. 

National Post Editor: Globalization of Fraud Calls for a Globalization of Law Enforcement

INTERVIEW WITH

Diane Francis, bestselling author, Editor-at-Large at The National Post and keynote speaker at the upcoming 2015 ACFE Canadian Fraud Conference in Ottawa, August 30-September 2

What role do you think the media currently plays in combating fraud?

The role of media, unfortunately, is shrinking as budgets, space and personnel shrink. There are some important think tanks and NGOs, plus other organizations in this space, who are compiling data, providing transparency and advising police, fraud investigators, corporations and governments about wrongdoing.

Personal finance frauds are fortunately still relatively well-reported wherever the legal system is politicized and transparent, as in the West. But elsewhere problems exist, and the grim reality is that the globalization of fraud is a potentially disastrous situation. Crimes in one jurisdiction could always be hidden or successful if borders were placed between the crime, victims and perpetrators. Now with borders gone and broadband everywhere, cybercrime, money transfers, bitcoin structures and other innovations are facilitating fraud on a scale that's historically unheard of.

More international cooperation and collaboration is essential, and conferences and organizations like the ACFE are critical to achieving both.

What is unique about the group of fraud-fighters you will address in Ottawa?

This is the world's largest anti-fraud organization and it connects jurisdictions, specialties and agendas in a unique way through its conferences and other educational content. I have written three of my 10 books on white-collar crime, notably fraud and money laundering, and retain an abiding interest in the topics because of their importance not only to economies but to societies worldwide.

What do you most hope attendees will take away from your address?

Warning signs and the need to push for the globalization of law enforcement.

Read more about Francis and other keynote speakers at ACFE.com/Canadian. Register today.