In this episode of Fraud Talk , ACFE CEO John Warren, J.D., CFE, and Chief Training Officer Andi McNeal, CFE, CPA, join the show to explore Occupational Fraud 2026: A Report to the Nations — from its origins to its impact in the anti-fraud profession. The conversation traces the biennial report’s evolution over three decades, beginning with the first edition in 1996 to its role today as a global benchmark built on thousands of detailed case submissions provided by Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs...
May 15, 2026•40 min•Ep. 170
In this episode of Fraud Talk , fraud prevention expert and biometrics expert Simon Marchand, CFE, joins the show to explore how voice biometrics and AI-powered identity verification are reshaping the fight against fraud. This conversation follows the evolution of biometric technology from its origins as a customer authentication tool to its current role as a frontline defense against deepfakes, synthetic voices and large-scale orchestrated attacks. Marchand breaks down how fraudsters are levera...
Apr 03, 2026•47 min•Ep. 169
In this episode of Fraud Talk, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo‑Iweala, Director‑General of the World Trade Organization and recipient of the ACFE’s Cressey Award for lifetime achievement, speaks with ACFE Chief Training Officer Andi McNeal, CFE, CPA, in a conversation recorded at the 36th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference . Dr. Okonjo‑Iweala reflects on the critical role transparency, strong institutions and accountability play in preventing fraud and corruption, and where technology can reduce risk alongsid...
Mar 06, 2026•20 min•Ep. 168
In this episode of Fraud Talk , ACFE Communications Director John Duffley welcomes back forensic accountant and consultant Chris Ekimoff, CFE, CPA, for a conversation on career development, personal branding and professional visibility in the anti-fraud field. Drawing on his experience as a practitioner, educator and speaker, Ekimoff shares practical advice on using social media authentically, evaluating opportunities, balancing general expertise with specialization and building meaningful profe...
Feb 06, 2026•47 min•Ep. 167
In this episode of Fraud Talk, Fraud Magazine Editor-in-Chief Jen Liebman, CFE, is joined by ACFE President and CEO John Warren, J.D., CFE, to break down the most scandalous frauds of 2025 and what they reveal about today’s global fraud landscape. The discussion explores a series of sprawling international schemes, from what may be the largest Medicare fraud in U.S. history to cyber scam operations tied to human trafficking, pig butchering cryptocurrency scams, government corruption that destabi...
Jan 09, 2026•46 min•Ep. 166
In this episode of Fraud Talk , ACFE Communications Director John Duffley sits down with Heather Vescent, a futurist, researcher and CEO of The Purple Tornado, to explore how strategic foresight can empower anti-fraud professionals to anticipate emerging threats and adapt to rapid technological change. The conversation covers the evolving role of AI in fraud detection, the importance of human intuition alongside automation, and the promise and challenges of new technologies such as decentralized...
Nov 11, 2025•46 min•Ep. 165
In this episode of Fraud Talk, we explore an often-overlooked risk factor inside organizations: boredom. Guest Garth Sheriff, CFE, CPA, educator and former actor, joins ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins to examine how disengagement in ethics training and workplace culture can quietly open the door to fraud. Sheriff draws on his unique background in accounting, acting and continuing education to show why storytelling and lived experience matter more than checklists when it comes to ethics....
Oct 03, 2025•36 min•Ep. 164
In this episode of Fraud Talk , ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins speaks with David Maimon, a leading cyber crime and dark web researcher, to explore how the fraud landscape is being shaped by technology and organized criminal networks. Maimon shares how his work monitoring dark web activity uncovers trends like the use of AI in fraud, the rise of synthetic identities and the exploitation of death row inmates' information. He breaks down the fraud ecosystem, explains how public data can fuel...
Sep 03, 2025•37 min•Ep. 163
In this episode of Fraud Talk , ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins speaks with Shai Gabay, CEO and co-founder of TrustMi, to explore how fraudsters are capitalizing on overworked teams, rushed vendor payments and internal blind spots to execute sophisticated B2B payment scams. From AI-assisted impersonation to social engineering tactics that prey on urgency, Gabay breaks down the fraud risks hiding in plain sight and what organizations can do to stay ahead without slowing down.
Jul 25, 2025•23 min•Ep. 162
In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Communications Director John Duffley speaks with Jim McConnell, CFE, about the growing threat of applicant fraud and hiring scams. With job seekers under increasing pressure, scammers exploit emotions and new technologies to steal personal information, impersonate companies and damage employer brands. McConnell breaks down the red flags of fraudulent recruiters, the rise of comment poisoning on platforms like LinkedIn, and how CFEs and HR teams can work togeth...
Jul 03, 2025•32 min•Ep. 161
In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins interviews Fraud Magazine Assistant Editor Crystal Zuzek, co-author of "Under Pressure". They explore the rising fraud risks facing Gen Z and millennials, both as victims and as perpetrators. From emotionally manipulative scams like sextortion to friendly fraud and the glamorization of con artists, Zuzek shares insight and real stories that reveal how digital lifestyles and economic pressures are shaping the next generation....
Jun 06, 2025•30 min•Ep. 160
Whistleblowers are often key to uncovering fraud—but what happens after they report? In this episode of Fraud Talk , Jacqueline Garrick, founder of Whistleblowers of America and the Workplace Promise Institute, shares her journey from whistleblower to advocate. From moral injury to PTSD, Garrick shares how peer support and trauma-informed workplaces can protect whistleblowers and strengthen fraud prevention efforts.
May 02, 2025•35 min•Ep. 159
In this episode of Fraud Talk , ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins speaks with Victor Cardona, adjunct professor of forensic accounting at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, to discuss their “Day in the Life of an IRS Agent” program. The initiative immerses students in real-world forensic accounting and criminal investigation scenarios, offering a hands-on look at careers in fraud prevention and compliance. Cardona shares how interactive education, mentorship and networking are ...
Apr 04, 2025•30 min•Ep. 158
In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Communications Director John Duffley sits down with Mason Wilder, CFE, ACFE Research Director, to break down the newly released In-House Fraud Investigation Teams: 2025 Benchmarking Report. Dive into a detailed discussion on how organizations are structuring their fraud teams—from the increasing number of investigators to the unique challenges they face across different company sizes. Learn about the role of in-house teams versus outsourced investigations, the...
Mar 07, 2025•29 min•Ep. 157
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing fraud prevention in the banking industry, enhancing detection and risk management. But with these advancements come new challenges—fraudsters using AI to exploit vulnerabilities, biases in algorithms and the need for regulatory adaptation. In this episode, ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins speaks with fraud expert Kennedy Meda about the impact of AI on banking fraud, the balance between automation and human oversight and how financial institutions c...
Feb 07, 2025•31 min•Ep. 156
In this episode of Fraud Talk , John Warren, CEO of the ACFE, and Jennifer Liebman, Editor-in-Chief of Fraud Magazine, delve into some of 2024's most scandalous fraud cases. From Boeing's guilty plea tied to deadly aviation crashes to Vietnam's sentencing of a real estate tycoon to death for embezzlement, they explore the global implications of these high-profile frauds. Tune in to understand the evolving nature of fraud, including the role of AI and platforms like TikTok in modern schemes, and ...
Jan 03, 2025•52 min•Ep. 155
In this episode of Fraud Talk , ACFE Research Specialist Sam May interviews Patrick Gushue, Acting Director of the Department of Justice's Corporate Whistleblower Awards pilot program. Together, they delve into the program's mission to uncover corporate crime by empowering whistleblowers and fostering a culture of accountability. Patrick provides an in-depth look at the program's focus on internal reporting, compliance frameworks and innovative incentives designed to encourage reporting of misco...
Dec 06, 2024•47 min•Ep. 154
Join ACFE Public Relations Specialist Stefanie Hallgren in this episode of Fraud Talk , as she dives in with Brandi Pritchard, Assistant Director of Special Investigations at the Washington State Auditor's Office. With International Fraud Awareness Week on the horizon, Pritchard shares the story behind the Auditor’s Office’s dedication to fraud prevention and the unique challenges they face, especially within smaller government entities. From engaging tactics that bring fraud awareness to the co...
Nov 01, 2024•32 min•Ep. 153
In this episode of Fraud Talk , Mason Wilder sits down with Marta Cadavid, founder of NoFraud Latam, to explore the unique challenges of detecting and preventing fraud in Latin America. Cadavid shares her journey, including the creation of a Latin American-specific fraud tree, and how cultural nuances shape the approach to fraud communication. They discuss the vital role of artificial intelligence in analyzing human behavior and predicting fraudulent actions.
Oct 03, 2024•30 min•Ep. 152
Mary Ann Miller, a seasoned cybersecurity and fraud expert, joins Rihonna Scoggins, ACFE Content Manager, on Fraud Talk to dissect the evolving threat landscape of identity fraud and the cutting-edge strategies organizations can deploy to combat it. Miller emphasizes the need to move beyond traditional identity validation methods, focusing instead on diverse attributes and signals to confirm authenticity. They explore the future of passwordless security, highlighting its potential to enhance bot...
Sep 04, 2024•35 min•Ep. 151
Amanda Holden, a partner with Deloitte's Financial Crimes, joins Samuel May, ACFE research specialist, on Fraud Talk to uncover the intricacies of fraud prevention and program integrity in the Canadian public sector. They navigate the crucial role of proactive prevention and detection, addressing the unique challenges faced by public entities in a rapidly evolving fraud landscape. Holden explores the essential COSO framework, emphasizing the balance between expediency and robust fraud controls. ...
Jul 03, 2024•45 min•Ep. 149
Javier Leiva, a writer, investigative journalist, producer and podcaster, joins Jason Zirkle, ACFE Training Director, on Fraud Talk to discuss the use of OSINT in investigations. They delve into the challenges, ethical considerations and future of OSINT investigations. Listen in as Leiva shares insights and tips for leveraging OSINT effectively and responsibly, and delves into the myth of Frank Abagnale.
Jun 05, 2024•38 min•Ep. 148
In this episode of Fraud Talk , Tony McClements, Head of Investigations at Martin Kenney & Co., delves into the infamous U.K. Post Office scandal with ACFE Content Manager, Rihonna Scoggins. As McClements unravels the layers of this miscarriage of justice, he discusses the critical failures of the Horizon IT system and the damaging effects of withheld disclosures during legal proceedings.
May 01, 2024•28 min•Ep. 147
In this episode of Fraud Talk, Andi McNeal, VP of Education for the ACFE, and ACFE Research Director, Mason Wilder, delve into the critical insights of Occupational Fraud 2024: A Report to the Nations, discussing its evolution, consistent themes and groundbreaking findings. They explore the significance of tips and internal controls in detecting fraud, the increased median losses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift towards web-based reporting mechanisms. Concluding with actionable ...
Mar 28, 2024•31 min•Ep. 146
In this month’s episode of Fraud Talk , Rihonna Scoggins, ACFE Content Manager, sits down with Amii Barnard-Bahn, an acclaimed coach for legal and compliance executives, to dissect the nuances of navigating difficult conversations as anti-fraud professionals. Barnard-Bahn outlines a six-step strategy to not only prepare the messenger but also to prime the audience, ensuring a blend of empathy and clarity. From psychological readiness to the rehearsal of delivery and understanding the influence o...
Feb 28, 2024•30 min•Ep. 145
In this episode of Fraud Talk , ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins meets with Christian Focacci, CEO and Founder of Threat Digital, to discuss the future of risk management and compliance software. The discussion delves into the groundbreaking advancements in large language models, their role in processing unstructured text and the critical importance of explainability in AI-driven solutions. Focacci also addresses the issue of AI washing and offers practical advice for companies and fraud ex...
Feb 20, 2024•27 min•Ep. 144
In this special edition of Fraud Talk , we focus on the ACFE's annual round-up featured in Fraud Magazine , a highlight anticipated by many in the industry. This year, we offer you an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into the process of selecting the top five most scandalous frauds of 2023. Join John Warren, CEO of the ACFE, and Jennifer Liebman, Assistant Editor of Fraud Magazine, as they meticulously unravel each case, providing an in-depth analysis and insight into the complexities and imp...
Jan 05, 2024•37 min•Ep. 143
Belinda Kitos, CFE, CICA and president of SCF Inc., was elected as treasurer of her homeowners association, but when she opened the books she discovered a $1.2 million fraud in her own backyard. In this month's episode of Fraud Talk, Kitos and Jason Zirkle, training director of the ACFE, explore their own experiences investigating HOA fraud and the red flags of these schemes.
Dec 04, 2023•33 min•Ep. 142
The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) estimates conservatively that healthcare fraud costs the U.S. approximately $68 billion annually. Why is there so much fraud and abuse with insurance claims and why has this problem gone on so long? In this month's episode of Fraud Talk, Paul Kilby, Editor in Chief of Fraud Magazine, discusses the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in combatting healthcare fraud with Theja Birur, Chief Technology Officer and founder of 4L Data Intelligenc...
Nov 01, 2023•28 min•Ep. 141
In this haunting episode of Fraud Talk , investigate the ghostly disappearance of Phases, Inc., a Tennessee nonprofit dedicated to helping women with substance abuse issues. Tune in with Michael Booher, CFE, CPA from the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury and Rihonna Scoggins, ACFE Community Manager, to discover how this ghost story unfolds and the truths lurking in Phases, Inc.'s shadows.
Oct 03, 2023•57 min•Ep. 140
