Mandating the Measurement of Fraud Legislating against Loss

Current estimates suggest that fraud is the most costly crime to society, yet the published fraud loss figures are just the tip of the iceberg.

In an environment of relative complacency, or Immoral Phlegmatism, this book presents cutting edge research into the measurement and management of fraud. It examines the concept of fraud loss measurement, critiquing existing measurement methodologies, before putting forward recommendations for mandating fraud loss measurement through enforced self-regulation, the creation of a British Standard of fraud loss measurement, and the establishment of an information exchange matrix to develop best practice and core doctrine of fraud loss measurement.

The arguments presented are supported by empirical evidence provided by the US Improper Payments Information Act of 2002, which mandates fraud loss measurement through regulation within high risk public sector programs, and features the findings from a first of its kind survey into attitudes towards fraud, the extent and nature of fraud loss measurement cross sector, whilst offering empirical evidence of the financial benefits of conducting fraud loss measurement exercises.

Martin Tunley is an academic criminologist based at the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies (ICJS), University of Portsmouth, UK, where he directs the BSc (Hons) programme in Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies and the MSc Programme in Counter Fraud and Counter Corruption Studies. He has published in academic journals on fraud measurement and benefits fraud. Martin serves on the editorial board of the Internet Journal of Criminology, and is Deputy Head of Secretariat of the Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board.

1.The Issue
2. Options for Change
3. The Dark Figure of Fraud
4. Measuring the Cost of Fraud
5. Legislating Fraud Loss Measurement
6. The Doctrine of Fraud Loss Measurement
7. Conclusion