Fraud Talk

In this episode of Fraud Talk, Ursula Schmidt, Ph. D., CCEP-I, founder of Schmidt Advisory and a former executive vice president of audit and compliance, joins the show to explore how culture, communication and human behavior shape effective fraud risk management.   Drawing on her global experience in internal audit and compliance, Dr. Schmidt explains why fraud is fundamentally a human problem, t...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE CEO John Warren, J.D., CFE, and Chief Training Officer Andi McNeal, CFE, CPA, join the show to explore Occupational Fraud 2026: A Report to the Nations — from its origins to its impact in the anti-fraud profession. The conversation traces the biennial report’s evolution over three decades, beginning with the first edition in 1996 to its role today as a global be...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, fraud prevention expert and biometrics expert Simon Marchand, CFE, joins the show to explore how voice biometrics and AI-powered identity verification are reshaping the fight against fraud. This conversation follows the evolution of biometric technology from its origins as a customer authentication tool to its current role as a frontline defense against deepfakes, sy...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo‑Iweala, Director‑General of the World Trade Organization and recipient of the ACFE’s Cressey Award for lifetime achievement, speaks with ACFE Chief Training Officer Andi McNeal, CFE, CPA, in a conversation recorded at the 36th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference. Dr. Okonjo‑Iweala reflects on the critical role transparency, strong institutions and ac...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Communications Director John Duffley welcomes back forensic accountant and consultant Chris Ekimoff, CFE, CPA, for a conversation on career development, personal branding and professional visibility in the anti-fraud field. Drawing on his experience as a practitioner, educator and speaker, Ekimoff shares practical advice on using social media authentically, eval...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, Fraud Magazine Editor-in-Chief Jen Liebman, CFE, is joined by ACFE President and CEO John Warren, J.D., CFE, to break down the most scandalous frauds of 2025 and what they reveal about today’s global fraud landscape. The discussion explores a series of sprawling international schemes, from what may be the largest Medicare fraud in U.S. history to cyber scam operation...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Communications Director John Duffley sits down with Heather Vescent, a futurist, researcher and CEO of The Purple Tornado, to explore how strategic foresight can empower anti-fraud professionals to anticipate emerging threats and adapt to rapid technological change. The conversation covers the evolving role of AI in fraud detection, the importance of human intui...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, we explore an often-overlooked risk factor inside organizations: boredom. Guest Garth Sheriff, CFE, CPA, educator and former actor, joins ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins to examine how disengagement in ethics training and workplace culture can quietly open the door to fraud. Sheriff draws on his unique background in accounting, acting and continuing education t...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins speaks with David Maimon, a leading cyber crime and dark web researcher, to explore how the fraud landscape is being shaped by technology and organized criminal networks. Maimon shares how his work monitoring dark web activity uncovers trends like the use of AI in fraud, the rise of synthetic identities and the exploitation of de...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins speaks with Shai Gabay, CEO and co-founder of TrustMi, to explore how fraudsters are capitalizing on overworked teams, rushed vendor payments and internal blind spots to execute sophisticated B2B payment scams. From AI-assisted impersonation to social engineering tactics that prey on urgency, Gabay breaks down the fraud risks hid...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Communications Director John Duffley speaks with Jim McConnell, CFE, about the growing threat of applicant fraud and hiring scams. With job seekers under increasing pressure, scammers exploit emotions and new technologies to steal personal information, impersonate companies and damage employer brands. McConnell breaks down the red flags of fraudulent recruiters,...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins interviews Fraud Magazine Assistant Editor Crystal Zuzek, co-author of "Under Pressure". They explore the rising fraud risks facing Gen Z and millennials, both as victims and as perpetrators. From emotionally manipulative scams like sextortion to friendly fraud and the glamorization of con artists, Zuzek shares insight and real s...

Whistleblowers are often key to uncovering fraud—but what happens after they report? In this episode of Fraud Talk, Jacqueline Garrick, founder of Whistleblowers of America and the Workplace Promise Institute, shares her journey from whistleblower to advocate. From moral injury to PTSD, Garrick shares how peer support and trauma-informed workplaces can protect whistleblowers and strengthen fraud p...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins speaks with Victor Cardona, adjunct professor of forensic accounting at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, to discuss their “Day in the Life of an IRS Agent” program. The initiative immerses students in real-world forensic accounting and criminal investigation scenarios, offering a hands-on look at careers in fraud...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Communications Director John Duffley sits down with Mason Wilder, CFE, ACFE Research Director, to break down the newly released In-House Fraud Investigation Teams: 2025 Benchmarking Report. Dive into a detailed discussion on how organizations are structuring their fraud teams—from the increasing number of investigators to the unique challenges they face across d...

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing fraud prevention in the banking industry, enhancing detection and risk management. But with these advancements come new challenges—fraudsters using AI to exploit vulnerabilities, biases in algorithms and the need for regulatory adaptation. In this episode, ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins speaks with fraud expert Kennedy Meda about the impact of AI o...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, John Warren, CEO of the ACFE, and Jennifer Liebman, Editor-in-Chief of Fraud Magazine, delve into some of 2024's most scandalous fraud cases. From Boeing's guilty plea tied to deadly aviation crashes to Vietnam's sentencing of a real estate tycoon to death for embezzlement, they explore the global implications of these high-profile frauds. Tune in to understand the e...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Research Specialist Sam May interviews Patrick Gushue, Acting Director of the Department of Justice's Corporate Whistleblower Awards pilot program. Together, they delve into the program's mission to uncover corporate crime by empowering whistleblowers and fostering a culture of accountability. Patrick provides an in-depth look at the program's focus on internal...

Join ACFE Public Relations Specialist Stefanie Hallgren in this episode of Fraud Talk, as she dives in with Brandi Pritchard, Assistant Director of Special Investigations at the Washington State Auditor's Office. With International Fraud Awareness Week on the horizon, Pritchard shares the story behind the Auditor’s Office’s dedication to fraud prevention and the unique challenges they face, especi...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, Mason Wilder sits down with Marta Cadavid, founder of NoFraud Latam, to explore the unique challenges of detecting and preventing fraud in Latin America. Cadavid shares her journey, including the creation of a Latin American-specific fraud tree, and how cultural nuances shape the approach to fraud communication. They discuss the vital role of artificial intelligence...

Mary Ann Miller, a seasoned cybersecurity and fraud expert, joins Rihonna Scoggins, ACFE Content Manager, on Fraud Talk to dissect the evolving threat landscape of identity fraud and the cutting-edge strategies organizations can deploy to combat it. Miller emphasizes the need to move beyond traditional identity validation methods, focusing instead on diverse attributes and signals to confirm authe...

Amanda Holden, a partner with Deloitte's Financial Crimes, joins Samuel May, ACFE research specialist, on Fraud Talk to uncover the intricacies of fraud prevention and program integrity in the Canadian public sector. They navigate the crucial role of proactive prevention and detection, addressing the unique challenges faced by public entities in a rapidly evolving fraud landscape. Holden explores...

Javier Leiva, a writer, investigative journalist, producer and podcaster, joins Jason Zirkle, ACFE Training Director, on Fraud Talk to discuss the use of OSINT in investigations. They delve into the challenges, ethical considerations and future of OSINT investigations. Listen in as Leiva shares insights and tips for leveraging OSINT effectively and responsibly, and delves into the myth of Frank Ab...

In this episode of Fraud Talk, Tony McClements, Head of Investigations at Martin Kenney & Co., delves into the infamous U.K. Post Office scandal with ACFE Content Manager, Rihonna Scoggins. As McClements unravels the layers of this miscarriage of justice, he discusses the critical failures of the Horizon IT system and the damaging effects of withheld disclosures during legal proceedings.

In this episode of Fraud Talk, Andi McNeal, VP of Education for the ACFE, and ACFE Research Director, Mason Wilder, delve into the critical insights of Occupational Fraud 2024: A Report to the Nations, discussing its evolution, consistent themes and groundbreaking findings. They explore the significance of tips and internal controls in detecting fraud, the increased median losses attributed to the...