Fourteen delegates from various companies across the South Pacific islands participated in a three-day workshop focused on fraud and corruption in Suva last week. Organized by the International Business and Economic Forum (IBE Forum), the event aimed to educate participants on a range of fraud and corruption topics, including traditional schemes like money laundering and asset theft, as well as modern issues such as electronic fraud and the role of artificial intelligence in fraudulent activities.
Course facilitator Simon Padgett emphasized the importance of the workshop, stating that attendees were there to learn how to effectively investigate and prevent fraud and corruption within their businesses and government departments. Padgett, a forensic accountant from Forensic Integrity Consulting and Training, highlighted various investigative techniques discussed during the sessions.
“Different processes for investigating fraud and corruption were reviewed, including the examination of fraudulent invoices, tender fraud, sales fraud, and payroll fraud,” he explained. “We provided case studies and videos to enhance the learning experience.”
Participants were also taught methods to mitigate fraud risks in their organizations, focusing on subjects such as fraud hotlines, policies and codes of conduct, and identifying bribery and corruption.
George Rounds, an accountant from Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH), expressed gratitude for being part of the significant forum. “We’ve covered the three major types of fraud, with financial statement fraud being the most prominent,” he mentioned. “I was here to gain further insights into risk and corruption, particularly since I recently joined the risk team.”
Rounds noted that the training extended beyond fraud, covering issues like cybersecurity and the impact of artificial intelligence on the economy.
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