{"id":7859,"date":"2020-09-20T11:10:16","date_gmt":"2020-09-20T11:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crigroup.com\/?p=7859"},"modified":"2023-06-02T16:27:13","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T16:27:13","slug":"uae-fighting-corruption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crigroup.com\/ar\/uae-fighting-corruption\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&A session with our CEO: United Arab Emirates fighting Fraud and corruption"},"content":{"rendered":"
Middle east corruption is a threat to the world. The\u00a0United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a land of complex extremes where fabulous wealth and\u00a0supercars\u00a0live right next to\u00a0staggering poverty<\/a>. This is generally a recipe for fraud and corruption. However UAE has been talking the right steps towards a fraud free future. This Financier Worldwide<\/em><\/a>\u00a0Q&A session with our CEO discusses United Arab Emirates role in fighting fraud and corruption.\u00a0Read the answers to the following questions:<\/p>\n ANJUM: Some recent, high profile cases have affected companies and countries in the Middle East. Embraer\u2019s bribery scandal, involving sales of its aircraft, included officials in Saudi Arabia, among others. Further, there have been suspicions of corruption surrounding the awarding of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Qatar, suspicious which have been worsened by allegations of human rights abuses involving migrant workers. In general, however, it is still issues like data theft, e-commerce fraud, information security and other high tech threats that pose serious risks to organisations in the Middle East. We live in an increasingly connected world, so while anti-fraud laws and controls in one country may be robust, a company might find itself doing business abroad in a location where laws and enforcement are more lax, and risk is heightened.<\/p>\n ANJUM: the UAE has a strong reputation for being tough on corruption, and a new law enhances this stance. The recently approved, and highly anticipated, Anti-Commercial Fraud Law will strengthen protections of intellectual property rights (IPR) and will impose stricter penalties anon counterfeiters. For example, a fraud offence related to counterfeiting could now result in up to 2 years in prison, as well as a fine of up to Dh1m. Overall, corruption is still a low risk for companies operating in the UAE. Laws against corruption are enforced, and they cover bribery, facilitation payments, embezzlement and other types of fraud and abuse. However, when concerning the Middle East as a whole, there are indications that fraud and corruption are the rise, which means we must be ever vigilant in protecting investments throughout the region.<\/p>\n ANJUM: When considering the Middle East region, there can be no ignoring war-ravaged areas like Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen. It is an understatement to say that countries embroiled in conflicts and crisis usually do not have the resources or manpower to properly prevent and detect fraud. But according to Transparency international\u2019s most recent \u00a0Corruption Perceptions Index<\/a>, a few of the other more stable and affluent countries in the region are experiencing some difficulty preventing fraud, as well. Different factors can contribute to these struggles, be they politics, autocratic leadership, weak laws or judiciary bodies. However, the UAE still ranks as the least corrupt country in the Middle East, and other countries might take heed of the country\u2019s Anti-Commercial Fraud Law and other existing laws, not to mention the UAE\u2019s enforcement measures, as a possible model for future efforts.<\/p>\n ANJUM: A company that finds itself in such as crisis should immediately cooperate with authorities and work quickly to gather the facts. What are the allegations? What is the scope of the investigation? Was the raid expected, or has the company been taken completely by surprise? In the early stages, it is crucial that the company engages in a good-faith effort to be transparent and cooperative. Of course, retaining legal counsel, is a must at this an every stage of an investigation, If an employee or employees have engaged in fraud, the company should support the fact-finding process and let justice run its course. Company leaders should also evaluate their internal controls and ensure that additional fraud or corruption is not occurring under the radar.<\/p>\n ANJUM: The statistics on fraud, such as in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Report<\/em> to the Nation on Occupational Fraud & Abuse<\/em> show that fraud is most often uncovered by tips, more so than audits, surveillance, account reconciliation, document examination and other methods. Accordingly, a company\u2019s own employees are their first line of defence against fraud. But to encourage whistle blowing, two critical measures need to be in place. First, employee should be trained to identify the red flags of fraud, and to know what does, and what does not, constitute fraudulent behaviour. Second, a reporting mechanism should be in place; an anonymous system by which whistle-blowers can submit their tips without fear of retaliation or negative consequences.<\/p>\n ANJUM: In any situation where fraud is suspected, it is crucial that experts be brought in as quickly as possible to help unravel the facts of the case, if the company does not have anti-fraud professional among its staff, It is critical to remember that there are various laws, depending on your country or region, which govern the rules of gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. Any evidence that is mishandled or collected improperly can negatively impact an investigation and hurt the chances of a resolution. If an investigation is bungled from the start, it is nearly impossible to then \u2018wind it back\u2019 and correct mistakes later. Also, if criminal behaviour is suspected, legal authorities should be quickly notified and provided with the company\u2019s findings and reasons for the allegation.<\/p>\n ANJUM: Every organisation, large or small, should have a plan in place for preventing and detecting fraud. The first step is to communicate the organisation\u2019s zero-tolerance stance against fraud. An ethical code of conduct, signed by every employee, can be effective in this regard. A fraud risk assessment should be conducted to find vulnerabilities. The company\u2019s hiring policy should include pre- and post-employment background screening<\/a>. Job responsibilities should include segregation of duties, so that no single employee has too much control over finances or assets. The company should conduct audits and encourage whistle-blowing with an anonymous reporting system. With a comprehensive fraud prevention system in place, business owners can sleep a little easier, knowing that their organisation has reduced risk and increased their ability to prevent and detect fraud.<\/p>\n If you find yourself in an ethical dilemma or suspect inappropriate or illegal conduct, and you feel uncomfortable reporting through normal channels of communication, or wish to raise the issue anonymously, use CRI\u00ae<\/span> Group\u2019s Compliance Hotline<\/a>. The Compliance Hotline is a secure and confidential reporting channel managed by an independent provider. When reporting a concern in good faith, you will be protected by CRI\u00ae<\/span> Group\u2019s Non-Retaliation Policy.<\/p>\n\n
Q. To what extent have you seen a notable rise in the level of corporate fraud, bribery and corruption uncovered in United Arab Emirates (UAE) in recent years?<\/h3>\n
Q. Have there been any legal and regulatory changes implemented in UAE designed to combat fraud and corruption? What penalties do companies face for failure to comply?<\/h3>\n
Q. In your opinion, do regulators in UAE have sufficient resources to enforce the law in this area and fight corruption? Are they making inroads in this area?<\/h3>\n
Q. If a company finds itself subject to a government fraud and corruption investigation or dawn raid, how should it respond?<\/h3>\n
Q. What role are whistle-blowers playing in the fight against corporate fraud and corruption? How important is it to train staff to identify and report potentially fraudulent activity?<\/h3>\n
Q. What advice can you offer to companies on conducting an internal investigation to follow up on suspicions of fraud or corruption?<\/h3>\n
Q. What general steps can companies take to proactively prevent corruption and fraud within their organisation?<\/h3>\n
Speak up – report any illegal, unethical, or improper behaviour<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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