Fraud schemes during COVID-19: a comparison from FATF countries

Purpose This study aims to define fraud crimes, its most prevalent categories and examines the most common of these schemes during the COVID-19 pandemic by drawing on the experiences of several countries and the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) updated paper issued during the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a comparative analysis methodology in conjunction with a descriptive analytical approach to compare four FATF member countries in light of the fraud activities that occurred on their territory during the pandemic and their respective law enforcement measures. It makes use of secondary data sources, namely, the theoretical literature on the subject and FATF’s updated paper on money laundering and terrorism financing during COVID-19. Findings This study found that fraudsters exploited the difficult circumstances during the pandemic in the majority of countries worldwide and identified various fraud schemes based on the incidents reviewed, such as the abuse of economic stimulus in Italy, counterfeiting medical goods in Brazil and investment fraud schemes in California, USA. In Spain, the fraud schemes tended to be cyber related. Such variations were also observed by the law enforcement agencies in the above-mentioned countries. Originality/value Numerous studies on fraud schemes are available to researchers. However, few such studies have been conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study makes a unique contribution to the literature.

Does Fixed Income Buffer against Fraud Shocks?

Counterparty risk in the form of investment fraud damages a retiree’s nest egg. Does fraud negatively impact portfolios that are both stock and bond-heavy equally? This study uses Monte Carlo analysis within the Trinity Study framework to determine the average reduction in portfolio success of a retiree who experiences fraud. Findings suggest that each incidence of fraud results in a loss of three percentage points in retirement success. However, portfolios containing some bonds (75/25, 50/50, and 25/75) outperform all equity (and all bond) allocations, particularly when fraud is present. On average, each incident of fraud reduces the chance the victim will enjoy a successful retirement by nearly 3%. Various limitations, implications, and future research possibilities are discussed.

GET-RICH-QUICK SCHEMES’ IMPACT ON PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF STOCK MARKET INVESTMENT IN KAZAKHSTAN

At this moment, only 1% of people in Kazakhstan invest in the stock market. Apart from the lack of financial education, the increasing number of seemingly legitimate fraudulent financial schemes influence the public’s perception of the stock market. This research investigates the public perceptions of investment fraud, the difference between stock market investment and financial schemes, and the consequences of confusing the two concepts. Through a survey and an interview, the research yields qualitative and quantitative data. Although the majority of the people (75%) are aware that the stock market is not a scam, a higher majority (89%) believe it is risky. Fraudsters often capitalize on the victims’ ignorance. Often get-rich-schemes are unlicensed, unregulated, and lacks transparency while offering a high amount of returns for a small investment. Therefore, raising the public's awareness will encourage them to engage in stock market investing and avoid being scammed.

Mexican Notary Publics in the Fight Against Money Laundering

main task of the Mexican notary is to provide, at the request of individuals, certainty and security to legal acts and facts through the exercise of public trust, which is characterized by the specialization of its function and the expertise required to perform the activity. However, in modern times, its obligations have been expanded to include assisting national and international authorities in the fight against the crime of money laundering and its provenance, such as drug trafficking, extortion, theft, corruption, embezzlement, tax and investment fraud, terrorism and its financing, among others. Therefore, the main objective of this note is to analyze the mandatory burden on notaries within the national legal framework, which has been established in accordance with globally imposed demands to combat the perpetration of such illegal behaviors. Similarly, the possible penalties that may apply in the event of non-compliance with the applicable provisions shall be examined from a critical and theoretical perspective. The research problem is addressed from a dogmatic and formalist methodology consistent with the subject of study, providing an explanation based on the factual, regulatory, and axiological dimensions.

CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION ON LARGE-SCALE INVESTMENT SCAM IN INDONESIA

Mass scale investment fraud (Ponzi) schemes result in protracted suffering for the victims. In this article the author investigates this crime from a juridical normative, case, and conceptual approach. From the very start potential victims may fall to promises of lucrative and safe investment schemes. In the eyes of the more prudent, it would or should be obvious that the collaborative business offers as presented contains logical flaws, running against common sense and is at the outset illegal. Notwithstanding, victims seems to fall easily into this trap, lured by the promise of getting easy, quick, and huge investment returns. In the end, even when this fraudulent investment scheme unravels, the government of law enforcement seems to be unable to act decisively and offer a satisfactory solution. Slow and ineffective government response in the end exacerbate economic loss and victims suffering.

Predicting Fraud Victimization Using Classical Machine Learning

Protecting financial consumers from investment fraud has been a recurring problem in Canada. The purpose of this paper is to predict the demographic characteristics of investors who are likely to be victims of investment fraud. Data for this paper came from the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada’s (IIROC) database between January of 2009 and December of 2019. In total, 4575 investors were coded as victims of investment fraud. The study employed a machine-learning algorithm to predict the probability of fraud victimization. The machine learning model deployed in this paper predicted the typical demographic profile of fraud victims as investors who classify as female, have poor financial knowledge, know the advisor from the past, and are retired. Investors who are characterized as having limited financial literacy but a long-time relationship with their advisor have reduced probabilities of being victimized. However, male investors with low or moderate-level investment knowledge were more likely to be preyed upon by their investment advisors. While not statistically significant, older adults, in general, are at greater risk of being victimized. The findings from this paper can be used by Canadian self-regulatory organizations and securities commissions to inform their investors’ protection mandates.

Ponzi Schemes and its Prevention: Insights from Malaysia

"A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investing scheme which promises high rates of return with little risk to investors. The scheme has led to a substantial amount of financial leakages in recent years. Despite warnings by the law enforcement agencies and regulators, many have unfortunately fallen victim. Hence, the current measures are limited in preventing the fraudulent schemes. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the influencing factors for joining Ponzi schemes by examining the modus operandi used, profile of victims and fraudsters and to investigate the current measures in preventing Ponzi schemes in Malaysia. This study employed a qualitative methodology with semi-structured interviews and document reviews to collect data. Interviews involving eight interviewees with regulators, enforcers, and victims revealed that prevention of Ponzi schemes should be addressed holistically by examining the modus operandi used, profile of victims and fraudsters. Findings further indicated that the prevention measures are led by three core elements consisting of education, regulations and enforcement. Additionally, education is the best approach to ensure an effective preventive strategy which needs to be supported by a specific regulations on Ponzi schemes. This study provides recent evidence on Ponzi schemes and valuable insights for future development of preventive measures. Keywords: Ponzi scheme, pseudo-investment, fraud, prevention measures, regulation, enforcement"

Interpretasi Hukum Perkara Penipuan Online Modus Investasi Kajian Undang-Undang No.42/2009 dan Undang-Undang No25/2007

ABSTRACTThe rise of online fraud practices with investment mode in DKI Jakarta is influenced by 2 (two) factors, namely the community's ignorance about investment through the online platform. Other factors are not yet optimal for law enforcement to take preventative measures by informing the public about the dangers of online investment.The purpose of this research is to better understand the legal interpretation of online fraud cases with investment mode. Another goal is for the public to be more careful with online investment offers that promise multiple benefits.The research approach is the legal sociology approach. Observations indicate that law enforcement by the National Police against suspected online investment fraud has not been carried out optimally because investigators only use the articles of the Criminal Code and the ITE Law. But not using Law Number 42/2009, and Law Number 25/2007, investigators must also immediately break the chain of online fraud practices.Keywords : Legal Interpretation, Online Fraud, Investment Mode.ABSTRAKMaraknya praktek penipuan online dengan modus investasi di DKI Jakarta dipengaruhi 2 (dua) faktor yaitu faktor ketidaktahuan masyarakat perihal investasi melalui platform online. Faktor lainnya belum optimalnya penegak hukum untuk melakukan langkah pencegahan dengan mensosialisasikan kepada masyarakat mengenai bahayanya investasi online.Tujuan penelitian ingin lebih memahami penafsiran hukum perkara penipuan online dengan modus investasi. Tujuan lainnya agar masyarakat lebih berhati-hati dengan penawaran investasi online yang menjanjikan keuntungan berlipat ganda.Pendekatan penelitian yaitu pendekatan Sosiologi hukum. Hasil pengamatan menunjukkan bahwa penegakan hukum oleh Polri terhadap tersangka penipuan investasi online, belum berlangsung optimal karena penyidik hanya menggunakan pasal-pasal KUHP dan Undang-Undang ITE. Namun tidak menggunakan Undang-Undang Nomor 42/2009, dan Undang-Undang Nomor 25/2007, penyidik juga harus segera memutus mata rantai praktek penipuan online tersebut.Kata kunci: Interpetasi Hukum, Penipuan Online, Modus Investasi.