Public or Private organizations may fall victims at the hands of the perpetuators of White Collar Crimes (referred commonly as 'frauds'). It is a duty of the managers and other operating employees to protect their organizations from this danger. Failure to follow prescribed safeguards intended to prevent frauds due to their negligence or omission will constitute misconduct and make them accountable. Frauds are to be deemed a constant threat faced, and hence Managers and others should be ever vigilant and follow strictly structured systems and rules, which provide full-proof protection This danger lurks equally for both the Public and Private Organizations. These threats are broadly classified and dealt with as Fraud committed on the organization from outside.
Criminals plan, specialize and develop expertise in particular lines of crimes and able to operate their design deftly. How an ordinary Manager is to cope up with these well-equipped fraud-perpetuators and protect himself and the Organization he serves?
As Business or Industry or any other operational management look for and secures opportunities from the external world, it also faces the threat and has to equip itself to meet such situations effectively. Professional management needs proper study of threat perception and setting damage prevention/control measures before hand. These should be properly and carefully embedded in the operational systems followed by the organizations. Risk or Accident Prevention management is a fast growing subject for specialization by management.
There are number of Agencies offering Fraud Protection Services in western countries. Some of them are Government sponsored, a few non-profit private bodies, while the others are commercially based consultants, who may offer their expert services for a fee. You will find a very large number of these agencies, by searching the Internet. A few of them are described herein. These are all global organizations.
The NFIC was originally established in 1992 by the National Consumers League, the oldest nonprofit consumer organization in the United States, to fight the growing menace of telemarketing fraud by improving prevention and enforcement. For more information about NCL and the other projects and programs that it conducts, please go to the NCL web site. (http://www.natlconsumersleague.org/)
The NFIC is the only nationwide toll-free hotline for consumers to get advice about telephone solicitations and report possible telemarketing fraud to law enforcement agencies. In 1996, the Internet Fraud Watch was created, enabling the NFIC to offer consumer advice about promotions in cyberspace and route reports of suspected online and Internet fraud to the appropriate government agencies.
Consumers can call the NFIC hotline toll-free at 1-800-876-7060 or send their questions to the NFIC via this web site. The NFIC's trained counselors help consumers identify the danger signs of possible fraud and direct them to the right places for more information, if needed. Consumers can also report suspected telemarketing or Internet fraud through the NFIC hotline or web site. These reports are relayed to a variety of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, alerting them to problems that they may wish to investigate and providing them with the ammunition they need to stop fraud. The NFIC's counseling and consumer reporting services are available in English and Spanish, free of charge.
The NFIC's award-winning web site not only enables consumers to get answers to their questions and report possible fraud, but it is a valuable educational tool. Check out the News & Views section, the Internet Fraud Watch section, the telemarketing tips, the special elder fraud information, and other features. Articles may be reprinted with permission of NCL and attribution to: "The National Fraud Information Center, a project of the National Consumers League."
The National Consumers League is a private, nonprofit advocacy group representing consumers on marketplace and workplace issues. NCL is the oldest consumer organization of USA. Its mission is to identify, protect, represent, and advance the economic and social interests of consumers and workers.
NCL provides government, businesses, and other organizations with the consumer's perspective on concerns including child labor, privacy, food safety, and medication information.
Founded in 1994 at the request of several insurance companies, the Fraud Defense Network is now the leading connection point for the anti-fraud community. FDN acts as the Internet conduit to provide access to investigative information. The Corporate Membership, which consists of insurance institutions, provides the majority of funding and direction. Their commitment to the reduction of the 130 billion dollars lost per year to insurance fraud drives the services currently offered. Members access a multitude of information transference technologies and database index systems to assist in the investigation and reduction of fraudulent activity. The Fraud Defense Network receives over 780,000 hits per month from around the world. This is a testament to those committed to reducing fraud by participating in the anti-fraud community.
To assist in the prevention, detection, and investigations of fraudulent activity by:
The Fraud Defense Network currently maintains four levels of membership. These are as follows:
Protection against Internet Frauds
The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC)
The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C).
You can access their Internet site at the address http://www.ifccfbi.gov/
IFCC's mission is to address fraud committed over the Internet. For victims of Internet fraud, IFCC provides a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of a suspected criminal or civil violation. For law enforcement and regulatory agencies at all levels, IFCC offers a central repository for complaints related to Internet fraud, works to quantify fraud patterns, and provides timely statistical data of current fraud trends.
Internet Fraud Preventive Measures
Internet Auction Fraud
Understand as much as possible about how the auction works, what your obligations are as a buyer, and what the seller's obligations are before you bid.
Find out what actions the web site/company takes if a problem occurs and consider insuring the transaction and shipment.
Learn as much as possible about the seller, especially if the only information you have is an e-mail address. If it is a business, check the Better Business Bureau where the seller/business is located.
Examine the feedback on the seller
Determine what method of payment the seller is asking from the buyer and where he/she is asking to send payment.
If a problem occurs with the auction transaction, it could be much more difficult if the seller is located outside the US because of the difference in laws
Ask the seller about when delivery can be expected and if there is a problem with the merchandise is it covered by a warranty or can you exchange it
Find out if shipping and delivery are included in the auction price or are additional costs so there are no unexpected costs.
There should be no reason to give out your social security number or drivers license number to the seller.
Non-Delivery of Merchandise
Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate
Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.
Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card wasn't required to open the account.
Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller's area.
Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
Don't judge a person/company by their web site.
Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
Inquire about returns and warranties.
The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong
Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.
Consider utilizing an escrow or alternate payment service.
Credit Card Fraud
Don't give out your credit card number(s) online unless the site is a secure and reputable site. Sometimes a tiny icon of a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level of security to transmit data. This icon is not a guarantee of a secure site, but might provide you some assurance.
Don't trust a site just because it claims to be secure.
Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software it uses.
Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.
Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card wasn't required to open the account.
Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller's area.
Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
Don't judge a person/company by their web site.
Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong.
Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers
You should also keep a list of all your credit cards and account information along with the card issuer's contact information. If anything looks suspicious or you lose your credit card(s) you should contact the card issuer immediately.
Investment Fraud
Don't invest in anything based on appearances. Just because an individual or company has a flashy web site doesn't mean it is legitimate. Web sites can be created in just a few days. After a short period of taking money, a site can vanish without a trace.
Don't invest in anything you are not absolutely sure about. Do your homework on the investment to ensure that it is legitimate.
Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
Don't judge a person/company by their web site.
Be cautious when responding to special investment offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
Inquire about all the terms and conditions.
If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Nigerian Letter Scam
Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as Nigerian or foreign government officials asking for your help in placing large sums of money in overseas bank accounts.
Do not believe the promise of large sums of money for your cooperation.
Guard your account information carefully.
Business Fraud
Purchase merchandise from reputable dealers or establishments.
Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.
Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of those that utilize free e-mail services where a credit card wasn't required to open the account.
Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
Purchase merchandise directly from the individual/company that holds the trademark, copyright, or patent.
Beware when responding to e-mail that may not have been sent by a reputable company.
[Source: http://www.icfbi.gov/]
"Through our experience in fulfilling this mission, we have realized that this concept frequently translates into providing support services to maximize their collective impact. We value diverse agency involvement, public and private partnerships, as well as regional cooperation. Our facilitative structure brings together the right mix of resources to meet the law enforcement challenges our members face in the 21st century."
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
(http://www.ncrbindia.org/)
NCRB, located at New Delhi under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, is a nodal agency committed to use of Information Technology for modernization of Indian Police. National Crime Records Bureau collects and disseminates information on crimes in India
The genesis of NCRB in 1986 lies in the recommendation of National Police Commission, to collect And disseminate information on crimes. This organization is a nodal agency Under The Ministry of Home Affairs.
Directorate of Coordination of Police Computers, Central Finger Print Bureau, Data Section of Coordination Division and Statistical Section of Bureau of Police Research and Development are constituents.
NCRB has installed 740 server based computer systems at every District Crime Records Bureau (DCRB) and State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) across the country under a modernization project of MHA by the name "Crime Criminal Information System (CCIS)". This will help NCRB maintain National Level Database of Crimes, Criminals and Property connected / involved in crime.
NCRB is the first organization to have installed the Automatic Finger Print Identification system (AFIS) called FACTS in India, which presently only a few countries in the world may claim to have. Digitized fingerprints database would also be maintained at NCRB. In near future, CCIS integrated with AFIS, would be one of the biggest networked computer-system in India in the aid of Criminal Justice System.
Development of software for Indian Police is another area of our specialization. Software packages developed by NCRB like CCIS, Property-Coordination & Portrait Building system are operational in every Indian State. Currently Bureau is engaged in developing application software for total computerization of Police Station working which includes printing of First Information Report (FIR) as well as maintenance of records.
The annual publication of NCRB, "Crime In India" has a great demand even in foreign countries. Data in the latest release can be downloaded from this site.
NCRB runs 21 regular training programs for Indian and foreign police officers. Having trained more than 22,000 police officers, nobody understands use of Information technology for Police working in India as good as us.
United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNODCCP)
(http://www.undcp.org/crime_prevention.html)
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
The recent increase in the scope, intensity and sophistication of crime around the world threatens the safety of citizens everywhere and hampers countries in their social, economic and cultural development. The dark side of globalization allows multinational criminal syndicates to broaden their range of operations from drug and arms trafficking to money laundering and trafficking in human beings.
The United Nations has acknowledged the importance of crime prevention and criminal justice since 1950, when it helped countries to set standards for fair and efficient criminal justice systems. Member States recognize that they must cooperate in order to counter international crime successfully.
Centre for International Crime Prevention
(http://www.undcp.org/crime_cicp.html)
Established in 1997, the Centre for International Crime Prevention (CICP) is the United Nations office responsible for crime prevention, criminal justice and criminal law reform. The CICP works with Member States to strengthen the rule of law, to promote stable and viable criminal justice systems and to combat the growing threats of transnational organized crime, corruption and trafficking in human beings.
The United Nations Crime and Justice Information Network
(http://www.undcp.org/uncjn.html)
The United Nations Crime and Justice Information Network provides a substantial database of www links to criminal justice related sites.
TERRORISM
Terrorism often encompasses elements of politics, warfare and propaganda. In recent years, some analysts have perceived a dangerous trend towards inflicting high casualties in terrorist activities. To combat this emerging threat, the Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB) was established in 1999 to promote international and technical cooperation in the prevention of terrorism. The TPB works with Member States to identify early violent warning signals.
Corruption
(http://www.undcp.org/corruption.html)
Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon. The Global Programme Against Corruption targets countries with vulnerable developing or transitional economies by promoting anti-corruption measures in the public sphere, private sector and in high-level financial and political circles. The Judicial Integrity Programme identifies means of addressing the key problem of a corrupt judiciary.
Organized Crime
Criminal groups have established international networks to carry out their activities more effectively through sophisticated technology and by exploiting today's open borders. The Global Programme against Transnational Organized Crime maps the latest trends among organized criminal groups and highlights their potential worldwide danger so that preventive action can take place.
Trafficking in Human Beings
The smuggling of migrants and the trafficking of human beings for prostitution and slave labour have become two of the fastest growing worldwide problems in recent years. The Global Programme Against Trafficking in Human Beings will enable countries of origin, transit and destination to develop joint strategies and practical action against the trade in human beings.
