ACFE Strengthens Ties with Asian Fraud Fighters

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Leslie Simpson, CFE
ACFE Membership Director

When the ACFE approached me about taking a trip to Asia earlier this year, I must admit I felt a little nervous. I was excited at the opportunity, but nervous to visit such far-away places as Singapore and Hong Kong. My international travel had been limited to my honeymoon in Italy and a few extended weekend trips to Mexico. Sitting in traffic in downtown Austin, Texas, felt like an eternity; I certainly had never traveled for more than 25 hours to go anywhere.

I was sure that the world I would be traveling to would be so different that I would stand out like a sore thumb. Culturally, would I be ignorant? Would I unknowingly offend the people I met? How tolerant would I be without all the comforts of home? I did as much research as I possibly could, but I felt, and still feel, that you can read all you want, but being in the midst of the experience is where you really learn.

The purpose of the leg of our trip to Singapore was to meet with our local chapter board of directors and local government agencies to discuss the ACFE's growth. We wanted to understand what anti-fraud training and resources they had and to squeeze in a site visit at the Marina Bay Sands, the hotel where we’ll be hosting the 2011 Asia Pacific Fraud Conference, Oct. 23-25. The ACFE’s membership is rapidly growing, specifically in Asia, where there is the largest concentration of members outside the United States We also have more than 10 active Asian chapters — we are truly a global network of contacts and resources; I experienced it first-hand.

Of course, the trip wasn’t all business. After all, I was traveling with my co-worker, Alani Mundie, International Law Enforcement Liaison, who shares in my interest of shopping for unique finds. And unique finds were what we found during our walks through the open air markets of Chinatown and Little India. We visited several mosques and temples which were decorated with ornate carvings and symbolic characters. As for the food, we liked chili crab so much we had it on a few occasions.

Now, as I reflect on Singapore as the international hub that it is and on the sights I saw, the people I met and my experiences, I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to visit. I can only hope my experience was not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Singapore was very forgiving to this inexperienced American traveler; I still have a lot to learn however about the world outside of the United States. I’m lucky to have visited a beautiful country with amazing people, and I look forward to the growth of our membership in this region.

Stay tuned for a follow-up blog about our adventures in Hong Kong.

Fraud Examiners Not Immune from Ethical Dilemmas

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Dawn Taylor, CFE
ACFE Research Specialist

One of the toughest decisions I've ever faced was whether I should disclose to a children's welfare organization certain morally questionable activities in a friend's household or feign ignorance. Telling all that I knew came with the possibility of my friend’s children being taken from her — perhaps permanently. Yet, holding back information meant that the children might be put in harm’s way.    

Would it be ethical for me to withhold information from the investigator? Did the situation justify the mother’s children being taken from her? Were the children actually in harm’s way, and would lying keep them there? How might the children suffer if they were taken from their mother? How might the mother suffer as a result of having her children taken from her custody?

As you can see, I had a lot to think about.

We all face ethical dilemmas at some point or another, including in our professional lives. As CFEs, we owe it to ourselves, the profession and society to do the right thing. But when ethical values collide, the right course of action isn’t always clear. Where can we turn for guidance?

One valuable resource is the ACFE's new online self-study, Ethical Issues for Fraud Examiners. The course helps us to understand what constitutes an ethical dilemma and assists us in developing a greater awareness of ethical issues faced by fraud examiners. Included in the course are several interesting and thought-provoking fictional scenarios involving potential ethical dilemmas that pertain to fraud examinations.

Although there is no approach that will provide us with an automatic solution to our ethical dilemmas, Ethical Issues for Fraud Examiners can guide us as we deliberate on the issues for ourselves, explore important considerations and finally come to our own resolutions.

And, as an added bonus, the two CPE available allow CFEs to meet the new 2011 ethics-related CPE requirement.

Have you ever faced an ethical dilemma as a fraud examiner? How did you resolve it?

Going Once, Going Twice: ACFE Silent Auction Opens

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Sarah Ellis
ACFE Event Marketing Specialist

While there won’t be a chanting auctioneer to call out the bids of this auction, the ACFE Foundation-sponsored Silent Auction at this year’s ACFE Fraud Conference will still be as entertaining as two ranch hands in a bidding war at a cattle sale.

The beautiful thing about this Silent Auction is all of the proceeds are donated to the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship program. Last year, $53,000 in scholarships were awarded, and since the launch of auction, more than $300,000 in scholarships has been distributed to deserving students all over the world.

I have always been amazed by how generous we can be. I remember entering college and applying for scholarships myself. I also remember how grateful I felt when I received a one. It is even more rewarding to be on the giving end. Anyone can be a part of this by donating to the foundation or bidding and taking home a prize.

The auction opened Wednesday, May 11, and ends June 10, before re-opening live at the ACFE Fraud Conference, June 12. We are excited about the new display which will house the items at the Conference. It’s fancy! We have been collecting donations for months from corporations, local ACFE chapters, and individuals, and now there’s a big stack of loot for the taking. Well, bidding, that is.

More than 20, yes, TWENTY hotel-stay packages from all over the world will be up for auction. A Tiffany’s necklace. Yes, that’s right. For the readers, and collectors among you, there is a signed collection of books written by Dr. Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA, founder and Chairman of the ACFE, and not to mention one of his infamous framed Hawaiian shirts!

Personally I have my eye on a beautiful Native American-style silver necklace with turquoise stones… so I’m ready to start bidding! Are you?

To view the auction items, go here. What is the coolest thing you have ever won at an auction? Leave us your comments below.