Investigating White-Collar Crime: Embezzlement and Financial Fraud, Second Edition This book examines the criminal elements unique to embezzlement and fraud that often confound investigators, whose lack of expertise in accounting and auditing makes it difficult for them to prove the offenses. By Howard E. Williams, ISBN: 9780398076498 Retail price: $49.95   $44.95 Quantity:

DESCRIPTION Investigating White-Collar Crime explains two basic questions every investigator must answer when beginning a financial investigation: “What am I trying to prove?” and “How am I going to prove it?” This book examines the criminal elements unique to embezzlement and fraud that often confound investigators, whose lack of expertise in accounting and auditing makes it difficult for them to prove the offenses. Chapters are included on criminological theory and the law related to white-collar crime, embezzlement, fraud, identity theft, accounting and auditing theory for investigators, financial interviewing and interrogation techniques, subpoenas and search warrants, evidence and documentation, proving illicit transactions, and case preparation and report writing. The author examines these issues from the practical view of a white-collar crimes investigator who helps police investigators gain a better understanding in detecting, investigating and preventing white-collar crime. Information is also contained on recent highly-publicized cases and explains how the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 can benefit investigators who work such cases. With interest in the newest white-collar crime on the rise, the author has included a new chapter dedicated to identity theft. Additionally, the book contains new ratio analysis tools and explains how to use Benford’s Law to discover fraudulent receipts.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface Chapter 1. White-Collar Crime Defining White-Collar Crime Types of White-Collar Crime Crimes by Individuals Crimes in Furtherance of Legitimate Business Criminal Activity Disguised as Legitimate Business International Scope of White-Collar Crime Enforcement of White-Collar Crime Summary Key Terms 2. Embezzlement Defining Embezzlement Problems in Investigating Embezzlement Embezzlers Elements of Embezzlement A Perso Fraudulently Appropriates To One’s Own Use or Benefit Money or Property Entrusted to Him by Another Without the Effective Consent of the Owner Summary Key Terms 3. Fraud Examples of Fraud Cases Forms of Fraud Abuse of Trust Business Fraud Government Fraud Investment Fraud Problems in Investigating Fraud Defining Fraud Elements of Fraud A Person>br> Obtains the Property of Another by Deception Representations Were Made Representations Were Knowingly and Designedly False Representations Were Made with Intent to Defraud Representations Did Defraud Representations Related to Existing Fact or Past Events Party to Whom the Representations Were Made, Relying on Their Truth, Was Thereby Induced to Part with His Property Summary Key Terms 4. Identity Theft The Incidence and Costs of Identity Theft The Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998 The Financial Modernization Act of 1999 The Internet False Identification Prevention Act of 2000 Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 The Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act Summary Key Terms 5. Accounting Theory for Investigators Accounting Personnel Forms of Business Organizations Accounting Systems Accounting Methods The Balance Sheet What the Balance Sheet Shows Income Statement What the Income Statement Shows Statement of Source and Application of Funds Journals and Ledgers Source Documents Summary Key Terms 6. Auditing Theory for Investigators Financial Statement Analysis Ratio Analysis Vertical Analysis Horizontal Analysis Statement of Cash Flow Comparisons with Other Companies or Industry Statistics Comparisons with Non-financial Data Statistical Sampling Statistical Versus Non-Statistical Sampling Sample Selection Sample Evaluation Benford’s Law Summary Key Terms 7. Financial Interviewing and Interrogation Interview versus Interrogation Interviewing Victims and Cooperative Witnesses Planning the Interview Arranging the Interview Investigator’s Demeanor Conducting an Interview Note Taking Special Considerations Obstacles to Successful Interviewing Overcoming Obstacles to Interviewing Statements Interrogating Suspects Whether to Interrogate Planning the Interrogation Setting for the Interrogation Introduction to an Interrogation Interrogation Technique Conducting an Interrogation Interrogator’s Demeanor Psychology of Confessions Legal Aspects of an Interrogation Summary Key Terms 8. Public Information, Subpoenas, and Search Warrants Privacy/Freedom of Information Act Fair Credit Reporting Act Right to Financial Privacy Act Obtaining Documentary Evidence Subpoenas Search Warrants Exceptions to the Search Warrant Requirement Preparing the Financial Search Warrant Affidavit Detailed Description of the Places or Things To be Searched A Detailed Description of the Property to Be Seized Accusation and Charge Probable Cause Narrative Executing the Financial Search Warrant Timeliness Presence of the Search Warrant at the Scene Items Located in Plain View Personal Papers and Fifth Amendment Considerations Computer Records Attorney-Client Privilege and Law Office Searches Summary Key Terms 9. Evidence and Documentation Evidence Admissibility of Evidence Hearsay Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule Documentary Evidence Admissibility of Specific Forms of Documentary Evidence Authentication of Copies, Reproductions, and Transcripts Chain of Custody Privileged Communications Questioned Documents Exemplars Identifying, Proving, or Disproving Questioned Documents Electronic Documents Summary Key Terms 10. Proving Illicit Transactions Making Illegal Payments and Transfers On-Book Schemes Off-Book Schemes The Business Profile Proving On-Book Payments Fictitious Payables Schemes Ghost Employee Schemes Overbilling Schemes Proving Off Book Payments Proving Payments in Cash Examination from the Point of Receipt Net Worth Analysis Source and Application of Funds Analysis Bank Deposits Analysis Percentage Analysis Unit and Volume Analysis Summary Key Terms 11. Case Preparation and the Investigative Report Characteristics of Report Writing The Written Report Mistakes in Report Writing Discovery Case Preparation Summary Key Terms Appendices A. The Numerical System of the American Bankers Association B. Affidavit of Financial Information C. Area Assignments of Social Security Numbers D. Guide to Sources of Financial Information E. Consent to Search F. Customer Consent and Authorization for Access to Financial Records G. Statement of Rights Glossary Bibliography Index

Published 2006 (2nd edition)
362 pp., 7 x 10, 31 tables