Law Commons^™

Money Laundering Through Cryptocurrencies, George Forgang

Economic Crime Forensics Capstones

Bitcoin, the world’s first cryptocurrency, was first introduced in 2009, by Satoshi Nakamoto. While many believe the name is a pseudonym, and the true identity of the creator(s) is unknown, it is an undisputed fact that cryptocurrencies have introduced an indelible change to monies worldwide. Consequently, cryptocurrencies have also introduced a plethora of new opportunities for money laundering activity.

While cryptocurrencies follow the same three-step laundering process of placement, layering, and integration, the activity can be more difficult to detect due to the anonymous nature of cryptocurrencies. Moreover, while traditional schemes such as smurfing or gambling at a casino are …

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap): Uncovering The Fraud, Ada Torres

Economic Crime Forensics Capstones

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), once labeled the Food Stamp Program, was constructed mainly to boost low-income households’ capabilities in regards to purchasing food in order to maintain a satisfactory nutritional, low-cost diet. The program accomplishes this by providing benefits as a supplemental income to recipients in order to allow them to purchase certain foods. The federal government supplies the funds for the benefits and transfers the obligation to the states as far as administrating the program. Specifically, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is liable for defining the program regulations and confirming that the states are complying with …

Money Laundering By Politically Exposed Persons In Nigeria: Consequences And Combative Measures, Ike Onyiliogwu

Economic Crime Forensics Capstones

The Capstone Project will focus on money laundering in Nigeria by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and the devastating negative impact on Nigeria’s progress as well as various measures that could combat it.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) defines money laundering as the processing of “ Criminal proceeds to disguise their illegal origin.” And PEPs as “someone who has been entrusted with a public function.” (FATF, 2018). The Nigerian government has adopted the term, “politically exposed persons” to include senior politicians and senior government officials as well as their immediate family.

According to Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, $150 billion was …

Investigating Physicians Billing For Services Not Rendered: Fraud Detection, Interviewing And Referral To Law Enforcement, Glenn Forte Jr.

Economic Crime Forensics Capstones

This qualitative study examines the role of healthcare insurance investigators related to medical fraud among physicians billing for services not rendered. Grounded in academic scholarship, industry case studies and first-hand knowledge, this study introduces methods identifying fraudulent activities, fraud detection practices and implications from discovering fraud among physicians, patients, and health insurance companies. The three types of methodologies employed provide a lens into determining misappropriation of healthcare insurance and patient monetary funds.

Healthcare fraud falls within the arena of white-collar crime. It consists of filing dishonest healthcare claims to receive a profit. Fraudulent healthcare schemes come in many forms. The …

Beneficial Ownership: Tracking The True Owners Of Business Accounts, Angela Lintag-Ihde

Economic Crime Forensics Capstones

Bank accounts are a popular place to hide and move illegal funds. Many banks offer private banking or wealth management services, to customers with more than $1,000,000. That provides premier banking services as well as a confidential, safe, and legal haven. With these services is a heightened money laundering risk. The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) of Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) Examination Manual specifically states that privacy and confidentiality are important elements of private banking relationships. “Private Banking and Wealth Management services are vulnerable to money laundering schemes that include: private bankers as client advocates; powerful clients including …

Equitable Sharing Aids Circumventing State Civil Asset Forfeiture, Ella Fisher

Economic Crime Forensics Capstones

Civil Asset Forfeiture (CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE) is a disputable law enforcement asset utilized to combat the war on drugs and criticized as an abusive practice. Are law enforcement agencies really combatting the war on drugs using civil asset forfeiture law or just using the law for their own self interests? Civil Asset Forfeiture abuse relates to perverse incentives which are further aided by the federal equitable sharing program (ESP). Civil asset forfeiture law allows owners’ assets to be seized and forfeited, by law enforcement agencies without a warrant and/or a criminal conviction. When federal agencies adopt and prosecute, state and …

Impact On Grant Fraud Within The Government, Ashley Clark

Economic Crime Forensics Capstones

My proposal and area of concentration will focus on the forensic accountant’s role in grant fraud. This role is more important now than ever, as fraudsters’ efforts have become more sophisticated over time. Grant fraud is particularly susceptible because more and more fraudsters are working within the company and understand the internal workings of the organization. Ensuring that grant notice of award regulations and rules are followed – and that relevant agencies and individuals follow all protocols under the budgeted term – are crucial components to ensuring the grant’s success.

Within my research paper, I will cover all areas associated …

Small Business Occupational Fraud, Judy Dunne

Economic Crime Forensics Capstones

Estimate show that businesses will lose approximately 5% of revenue annually to occupational fraud. A small business generating $5 million in annual revenue will be estimated to lose $250,000 annually to fraud. The small business owners, with only a few employees, do not have the luxury an internal audit department to keep fraud in check. The small business owners must rely on themselves to be the audit department and it has to happen in a cost effective manner. In order to combat the possibility of fraud, the small business owner must first be familiar with the concepts of the fraud …