"Fraud Academy" To Help Bosses Spot Problems

20 September 2017, 07:10 | Updated: 20 September 2017, 07:14

A "Fraud Academy" is being launched to help businesses tackle economic crime which affects half of Scottish companies.

PwC's Forensic Services in Scotland is running the initiative to share best practice and provide access to experts on the issue which it said is costing businesses millions of pounds.

The programme of free events will include a look at the psychology of an internal fraudster, debate on recent economic crime trends in Scotland and practical tips on protecting yourself against internal fraud.

After the launch events, it is expected Fraud Academy will meet three times a year to discuss the latest hot topics in economic crime.

Carol Rarity, PwC Forensics Scotland lead, said: "Our surveys, work and expertise have found that at least half of Scottish companies have experienced some form of economic crime in the past year - and around a third of these crimes are at the hands of an internal perpetrator.

"With that in mind, it is becoming increasingly important for organisations to understand why employees go bad and what protection tools are available, so we are going to use the launch of Fraud Academy to challenge people to see if they can spot the 'bad apples' in the workplace and know the threats that they pose.

"We hope our events will see people from all sectors, but primarily those working in compliance functions, internal audit, fraud, HR and general counsel teams come together not only to learn, but also to share their insights because internal fraud is now an issue for most companies - and, sadly, at all levels."

The Fraud Academy will take place in Edinburgh on September 27 and Glasgow on September 28, with dates for Aberdeen and Dundee still to be announced.

The speakers will include Luke Treglown, organisational psychologist at Protection Group International, Gordon Burns from Police Scotland's Economic Crime Unit and Gerard Drugan from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Those attending will also have the opportunity to take part in a Q and A session with the speakers.