Since theft is one of the most common and costly types of occupational fraud, the examination of theft activities is an essential part of fraud investigation (Albrecht et al., 2006). Unauthorized taking, abuse, or hiding of an organization’s assets, such as money, assets, or private information, are all considered theft activities . A successful investigation seeks to tighten internal controls, stop further losses, and identify the offenders.

Determining when to look into theft actions is the first step in the investigation process (Duh et al., 2020). Red flags including unexpected shortages, odd transaction patterns, inconsistent lifestyles, and anonymous tips frequently lead to official investigations (James, 2023). After a decision is reached, investigators start by mapping potential weaknesses using techniques like vulnerability maps, protecting electronic data, and securing appropriate documents. Investigators can better understand where and how theft may occur within business operations by using this methodical technique.

To identify suspicious activity, a variety of investigative techniques are used, such as monitoring, secret investigations, and surveillance. Building a solid case requires both electronic evidence from emails, transaction logs, and access records, as well as physical proof like missing assets and changed documents (Almuhaisen et al., 2020). The investigator’s capacity to effectively evaluate massive quantities of data and identify hidden fraud patterns is further improved by the use of forensic software.

In conclusion, expert judgment, methodical processes, and technology assistance are all necessary for the investigation of stolen actions. In addition to exposing fraud, a well-executed inquiry promotes accountability, organizational integrity, and sustainable governance.

References

  • Albrecht WS, Albrecht CO, Albrecht CC, et al. (2006) Fraud examination: Thomson South-Western New York, NY.
  • Almuhaisen O, Habes M and Alghizzawi M. (2020) An empirical investigation the use of information, communication technologies to English language acquisition: A case study from the Jordan. development 7.
  • Duh RR, Ye CL and Yu LH. (2020) Corruption and auditor choice: a cross-country investigation. Review of Accounting and Finance 19: 175-197.
  • James M. (2023) Fraud Prevention in Procurement: Auditing Red Flags and Best Practices. Available at SSRN 4641308.