Fraud Psychology CPE Bundle

Criminology and the Psychology of Fraud

CPE: 4 | Course Level: Basic

This course will introduce you to the basics of criminology theories and examine how they relate to white-collar crime. Additionally, this course will discuss many of the psychological and environmental factors that can lead to fraud. A foundational knowledge of why and how fraud might occur is critical to both the detection and prevention of white-collar crime.

You Will Learn How To:

• Compare various criminological theories and their varying explanations of crime causation.
• Identify how criminological theories explain and predict white-collar crime.
• Recognize how organizational structure and climate can contribute to fraudulent behavior.
• Identify the unique aspects that distinguish fraud from other types of crime.
• Identify the weak psychological, organizational, and societal restraints that make fraud more likely to occur.
• Recognize some of the psychological traits that are common to fraudsters.

Conversation With a Fraudster: Craig Stanland

CPE: 2 | Course Level: Basic

In less than a year, convicted fraudster Craig Stanland exploited the warranty policy of one of the world’s largest tech companies for more than $800,000. Following an FBI investigation, Stanland spent two years in federal prison, three years in a supervised release program and was ordered to pay full restitution to the company.

In this on-demand webinar, John Gill, J.D., CFE, ACFE president emeritus, will discuss with Stanland the circumstances that made his fraud feasible, how he was caught and what he’s learned along the way.

You Will Learn How To:

• Identify several red flags of fraud.
• Determine common motivations and rationalizations for committing fraud.
• Recognize the consequences of fraud.

Conversation With a Fraudster: James Brandolino

CPE: 2 | Course Level: Basic

In this on-demand webinar, ACFE President Emeritus John Gill, J.D., CFE, interviews convicted fraudster James Brandolino, who defrauded his clients (mostly friends and family) of around $4 million. Brandolino started as a legitimate broker, but soon began running a Ponzi scheme. For seven years, Brandolino hid his fraud and fooled investors and regulators. Amazingly, he was never caught. You will learn how his scheme came to an end and how he fooled so many people for so many years.

You Will Learn How To:

• Identify common rationalizations and methods used by fraudsters to perpetrate investment fraud.
• Determine best practices for preventing and detecting investment fraud.
• Recall the details of the investment fraud perpetrated by James Brandolino.

Conversation with a Fraudster: Ryan Homa

CPE: 2 | Course Level: Basic

In this webinar, ACFE President Emeritus John Gill, J.D., CFE, held a conversation with Ryan Homa, a man who served 22 months in a federal prison on charges of bank fraud. Homa was working for a $60 million-a-year company when he opened a business account under a fictitious company’s name and wrote checks to this fictitious company. Over the course of 3 ½ years he embezzled more than $1 million from his employer. You will learn what he was thinking when he took the first dollar, how he concealed it, how he was caught and what lessons he learned.

You Will Learn How To:

• Identify behavioral traits of fraud.
• Determine common motivations and rationalizations for committing fraud.
• Recognize how behavioral analysis assists in fraud prevention and detection.

Conversation with a Fraudster: William Livolsi

CPE: 2 | Course Level: Basic

William Livolsi pleaded guilty to fraud charges and was sentenced to two years in prison for running a $6.5 million Ponzi scheme with his wife in Las Vegas. Investors thought they were buying into a hedge fund, but instead, the Livolsis spent the money on themselves. The fraud broke up their marriage, devastated their children and left friends and family financially ruined.  
 
In this webinar, ACFE President Emeritus John Gill, J.D., CFE, talked to Livolsi about how the fraud occurred, what allowed it to continue for so long, and what can we do to prevent ourselves and our loved ones from becoming victims of similar schemes. 

You Will Learn How To:

• Determine common motivations and rationalizations for committing fraud.
• Identify behavioral traits of fraudsters.
• Recognize how behavioral analysis assists in fraud prevention and detection.

Conversation with an Insider Trader

CPE: 2 | Course Level: Basic

In this webinar, ACFE President Emeritus John Gill, J.D., CFE, talks to Joseph Grmovsek about his story focusing on why he started insider trading in the first place, how he rationalized and hid his conduct, how he was caught and what happened to him after the crime was exposed. They will also discuss how organizations are vulnerable to information theft and what can be done to help prevent it.

You Will Learn How To:

• Identify red flags that might indicate that insider trading is occurring.
• Determine how insider trading information is obtained and used improperly.
• Discern ways that insider trading can better be identified and prevented.
• Recognize reasons why it might be difficult to initially detect insider trading.

Is Fraud Addictive?

CPE: 2 | Course Level: Basic

Many fraudsters describe their crimes as an addiction — they know they shouldn’t keep stealing, but they can’t stop. After an addiction to prescription opioids and serving almost 14 months in Federal prison for a white-collar crime, Jeff Grant started a ministry to help white collar criminals re-enter society and avoid making the same mistakes that landed them in prison. 
 
In this on-demand webinar, ACFE President Emeritus, John Gill, talked to Grant about the circumstances of his own crimes and how they have helped him understand the mindset of the fraudsters he has counseled. 

You Will Learn How To:

• Determine common motivations and rationalizations for committing fraud.
• Identify behavioral traits of fraud.
• Recognize how behavioral analysis assists in fraud prevention and detection.

Looking Fraud in the Eye

CPE: 2 | Course Level: Basic

Fraud examiners have the responsibility to prevent fraud, as well as identify those who commit it. In this course, ACFE President Emeritus John D. Gill, J.D., CFE, shares the stories and videos of several convicted fraudsters he has interviewed. By learning how and why they committed their frauds, you’ll be better able to prevent fraud at your organization. 

You Will Learn How To:

• Determine best practices for fraud prevention and detection.
• Identify behavioral traits of fraud.
• Recognize common motivations and rationalizations for committing fraud.

The Psychology of Scammer Tactics on Vulnerable Populations

CPE: 2 | Course Level: Basic

In this on-demand webinar, you will learn how to understand and recognize common persuasion tactics used by scammers, how spoofing changed the fraud landscape with robo-calls, and what traits and vulnerabilities scammers look for in their victims. You will also learn which vulnerabilities scammers might use to target you.

You Will Learn How To:

• Identify common persuasion tactics used by scammers.
• Recall best practices for reshaping the language of victimization.
• Recognize common scams that target older adults.
• Recognize the vulnerabilities that scammers look for and learn how to defend against them.