Security fraud has become a significant issue around this information age, especially in the investment world. Security fraud, a.k.a; investment fraud is a malicious practice that involves the misinterpretation of information for many investors to make viable decisions, in one way or another—the crime involves financial manipulation, poor advice, and more which may lead to significant losses.
Security fraud is illegal, and too often, it is risky to investors. There’s been a great article on TGDAILY recently that interviews a securities defence lawyer, it gives a great outline of the most common misconceptions and he digs into the most popular questi0ns around the topics. We highly recommend to give it a read.
Anyway, Investment fraud takes on many diversified forms. But below are the most famous ones.
- Accountant fraud
Over the past two decades, accountant fraud has increasingly grown where financial reports get manipulated now and then. The most kind of workers who fall into these illegal practices is usually the ones who have access to an organization’s accounts without oversight.
Accountant fraud involves embezzlements, fake suppliers, personal purchases, and many more.
Accountant fraud can directly impact the success of the company. It can lead to billions of losses if unchecked. The company, therefore, should implement internal severe accounting control and conduct random auditing on accounts receivable and accounts payable. Even better, it should employ trusted workers to check the reports regularly.
- Payroll fraud
Payroll fraud is an illegal act through the company’s payroll system. Payroll fraud is one of the most common investment frauds that many employees have turned their heads to-for many reasons. The effects of these employees fraud are dangerous and can even lead to business failure. According to research, about 27% of businesses affected with payroll fraud are likely to last for not less than 36 months. Payroll fraud, therefore, is a significant risk, particularly for small enterprises where control is minimal.
Some of the theft involved with payroll fraud includes paycheck theft, advance fraud, ghost employees scheme, and many more.
To avoid such a risk, the company needs to balance the sheets plus the payroll accounts three times a year. The company should also employ trusted managers who approve timesheets on time. The payroll record is a must check to ensure bank details matches.
- Asset misappropriation
Also referred to as insider fraud, asset misappropriation is a fraudulent practice that involves vast numbers of employees within a company. It is a case where individual employees who have access to information that the company lacks, then takes advantage of sale the corporation’s stock or securities.
Asset misappropriation is a risk if unnoticed. It includes theft of cash, robbery of services, forgery, and more.
The company should, therefore, rigorously check on new employees’ backgrounds. The company should also implement random audits, checks, and balances, and never pay commissions unless services get delivered. Better yet, change of duties of employees.
