The property industry involves real estate (including land and buildings/structures) and other tangible properties, and can also include mineral rights and other resources. Unfortunately, for as long as there has been a market for buying and selling land, property and resources, there have been schemes that aim to defraud. Some of the schemes even have colorful names: “chunking,” “builder bailout,” “phantom sale” – yet all are illegal and harmful to unwitting victims, which can include individuals and families, banks, holding companies, investor groups and others.
Property fraud can be very convincing because perpetrators will often produce fake or forged documents, and will sometimes work in collaboration with other fraudsters. For example, a crooked investor might provide kickbacks to an appraiser in return for inflating the value of a property, or he/she may sell a property to a “straw buyer” at an inflated price, with the straw buyer intentionally going into default (and splitting the proceeds of the loan with the fraudulent investor). There are many more scams, and all of them look for vulnerabilities among buyers and sellers alike.
CRI Group’s team of experts, including Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs), works with property groups and companies dealing in real estate to uncover red flags of fraud. Our agents will help assess a transaction before it takes place, and can implement asset recovery solutions in the case where fraud has already occurred. This extra level of protection is crucial for any organisation conducting real estate transactions.
From Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions at CRI Group we can help you! Learn more about our solutions and contact us today.
Countering Bribery & Corruption in the Public & Private Sectors
Anti-Corruption Culture, Risk Assessment, auditing & Compliance The primary aim of this study was to conduct investigative research into two recent case studies in order to demonstrate effective and adequate applications of Anti-Corruption procedures based upon specific case-level outcomes. Over the course of this exploratory research, the following core objectives have been accomplished: To compare and […]
Getting Started with ISO 31000 Risk Management?
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Bribery & corruption plague Middle East, ISO 37001 can help
How can ISO 37001:2016 help the Middle East battle against Bribery and corruption? Political and governmental unrest can affect a region’s economy and the integrity of business transactions. The current state of the Middle East exemplifies this phenomenon. While governments in the region are making efforts to curb corruption, political instability and regime changes often […]
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Happy holidays!
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CRI Malaysia celebrates 2019 Anti-Corruption Day
Anti-bribery and anti-corruption efforts are a huge priority in the South Asia Region, with many governments trying to strengthen laws and enhance enforcement in both their private and public sectors. As recent high-profile corruption cases in the region have demonstrated, today’s regulators are seeing the issue as a societal problem as much as a legal […]
CRI supports 2018 International Fraud Week
CRI Group is once again a proud supporter of International Fraud Awareness Week, Nov. 11-17, 2018. This global movement aims to minimise the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education. Companies lose an estimated 5% of their revenue annually due to fraud (ACFE Report to the Nations, 2018) and additional training, prevention programs […]
3 ways to protect your Company’s Reputation
In today’s connected business world, there are very few secrets. United Airlines, for example, recently learned the hard way that one ugly incident can go viral and spread around the world in a matter of minutes – not hours, days or weeks. protect company reputation United initially faced criticism over the rough treatment of a passenger being […]
Why should you want your partners to be ISO 37001 certified?
We at the CRI Group believe that businesses that are being run free of corruption accomplish their vision and mission sooner and easier. They bring good to the world more effectively than others. When a business has a clearly set vision and a detailed plan on how to reach it, all it takes to accomplish […]
Protect Your Business from Money Laundering Activities
How to Protect Your Business from Money Laundering Activities? Today, having anti-money laundering processes in place is more than a matter of smart business. In most jurisdictions, it is also a legal necessity. Organisations large and small are at risk of falling prey to unscrupulous business dealings and other threats posed by seemingly legitimate business […]
To check or not to check?
Background checks don’t tend make international news. They are the low-key diligent step in most well-managed recruitment processes, to provide employers comfort that the person they are hiring is everything they seem – and nothing more. That’s why the background checking of Brett Kavanaugh, a nominee to the US Supreme Court, should be about the […]
Fake degrees and fake employment certificates? What now?
In today’s business environment, fraudulent practices and manipulating the trust of others is so commonplace that people do it very often and with confidence. Unfortunately, this is also true when it comes to employment, as some potential candidates will present fake and bogus background certificates to try to gain an edge in the hiring process. […]
How to Protect Your Business From Money Laundering Activities
Money laundering should be near the top of the list of any business owner’s concerns. Anti-money laundering legislation and regulations are strict and increasingly enforced, and remaining in compliance through implementing proper prevention controls is a must. Countless businesses large and small – from corporations to third-party contractors – have learned this lesson the hard […]
Time to get ISO 37001 certified… the process, part 1
ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System Certification is critical for organisations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. After all, consider the benefits: Certification adds a distinct level of credibility to the organisation’s management systems, and ensures that the organisation is implementing a viable anti-bribery management program utilising widely accepted controls and systems. It provides assurance […]
Thank you for attending ABAC 2018 Malaysia Summit
Thank you for attending the ABAC Summit Malaysia last Tuesday! We are proud to have brought such an amazing group of distinguished speakers and respected delegates together to address the bribery and corruption issues worldwide. We are extremely thankful to all our speakers for making this #ABACSummit2018 a successful one! Dr KM Loi, Cristian Nicoara, Md […]
Corruption won’t stop: is your organisation protected?
In one case, an enforcement agent for a Malaysian government department pleaded guilty for receiving a bribe from a business owner. In another, a U.S. district attorney from Philadelphia was accused of taking cash in return for helping people with their legal cases. He was accused of 28 counts of bribery, and in the end […]
Top 4 Red flags during a Merger & Acquisition
The business world is often transitional, and the landscape changes as entities grow or industries change – and the players involved have to change with it. Mergers and acquisitions are examples of these “transitional times,” and they are also among the most critical times to conduct proper and thorough due diligence. There are inherent risks […]
Any successful ethics and compliance strategy needs 5 key ingredients …
ISO 37001 Certification: Building trust in the workplace
One of the most important aspects of any organisation is its culture. How do employees relate to one another? Is it a positive and enriching place to work? Do employees trust their colleagues, and look forward to working with them? ISO 37001:2016 Certification Unfortunately, an organisation that lacks proper controls against fraud, bribery and corruption and […]
Background screening; your first line of protection
An extra layer of security As a global investigative firm with a network of 76 agents worldwide, CRI Group has the resources and expertise needed to implement thorough and comprehensive pre- and post-employment screening. As part of our EmploySmart program, we have conducted more than 187,000 individual background checks, serving top companies of many industry […]
ISO 37001 certification: enhance your reputation and credibility
Bribery and corruption are serious concerns to businesses, government agencies and non-profit organisations. In fact, the risk of being associated with the negative impacts of this type of fraud extends to third party partners and influences present and future businesses relationships. In this business climate, consider the tremendous advantage your organisation will enjoy if it […]
Financial Crime Policies and Procedures: examples of good and poor practice…
Economic crime (also known as financial crime) principal catalysts is monetary gain. However economic crime not only has a devasting effect on individuals and communities but when associated with organised crime and terrorist financing it threatens laws, democratic processes and fundamental human freedoms, impoverishing states and distorting free trade and competition. Not a victimless crime […]
Fraud Advisory Panel celebrates 20 Years
CRI Group wishes to congratulate Fraud Advisory Panel on the 20th anniversary. It was a pleasure to attend the event and celebrate this great occasion of FAP fighting fraud for 20 years. It has been a great honor to be the member of the panel. Looking forward to continuing working together in the future! Connect with […]
Are you ready to EmploySmart? Meet us at SHRM’18
Meet us at the 2018 SHRM Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago, to demonstrate a commitment to your professional development and learning about tools and resources you need to best serve your organisation’s HR needs. One of those critical needs is helping your organisation prevent fraud. Human resources managers and specialists are at the front […]
ABAC Granted 1st Ever BS ISO 37001
ABAC Certification (Corporate Research and Investigations Limited) Granted First Ever BS ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Accreditation by EIAC Emirates International Accreditation Centre (previously known as Dubai Accreditation Centre (DAC)) officially recognises global firm’s ability to help ensure that organisations bring management systems into compliance and prevent bribery Corporate Research and Investigations Limited, herein referred to as […]
Manage business intelligence and identify risks
Gathering intelligence isn’t just the stuff of spy movies. It’s also an important part of the business world – and when conducted legally, ethically and effectively, it is a critical tool for any organisation seeking to be successful in their industry or field. Business investigations are about more than just identifying risk factors or weaknesses. […]
Investigative research reveals opportunities
In business, having the critical information you need can mean the difference between success and failure. When it comes to investigative research, trained experts can uncover facts that help you make the right decisions; and, conversely, save your organisation from making costly mistakes. CRI Group has trained investigators positioned around the world who can help provide […]
Appointment of Data Protection Officer under GDPR
There is the growing misconception surrounding the need for appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO) under GDPR which is effective on 25th May 2018. The role of DPO is critical for correct implementation of the newly drafted regulation. Relating to this, the organisation needs to ask itself four main questions before appointing a DPO which […]
Mexico’s Government Is Blocking Anti-Corruption
While many countries and their leaders are making strides against fraud and corruption, some national governments can’t seem to get out of their own way. Such appears to be the case right now in Mexico, where the Mexican government is accused of blocking its own anti-corruption initiatives that were launched earlier this year. According to […]
Rio de Janeiro law demonstrates
The time is quickly coming to an end when companies could expect to be successful in business without having a strong emphasis on compliance and ethics. The latest evidence of that is the fact that in Brazil, which has been stricken with high-profile fraud scandals in recent years, a new rule requires any companies doing […]
GDPR: A 21st Century approach to Compliance
Ever since its conception, GDPR has caused a strong stir in the legal and compliance world. The new law builds on the previous data protection legislation but at the same time provides more resilient protections for consumers, and more privacy considerations for organisations involved in the processing of personal data. The new EU General Data […]
CRI celebrates Fraud Week 2017
2017 International Fraud Awareness Week (also called “Fraud Week”) kicked off on Sunday and is in full swing. CRI Group is a proud supporter of this important initiative every year, and we encourage business leaders to take this time to consider all of their fraud prevention measures, including anti-fraud training for employees. Does your organisation have a training […]
Pakistan’s 1st ever Anti-Bribery Summit is a success
Last Thursday, 26 October, the region’s leading anti-fraud professionals gathered in Karachi, Pakistan, for CRI Group’s Pakistan’s 1st ever Anti-Bribery Summit. CRI Group took the initiative to organise the first Anti-Bribery Summit in Pakistan with the goal to redefine the anti-bribery culture within organisations in the country. The Anti-Bribery Summit couldn’t have come at a […]
Components of ISO 31000:2018
Managing risk is a critical part of the success of any organisation. That’s why ISO (International Organization for Standardization) developed the 31000 Risk Management Standard. Issued in 2009, the standard helps address operational continuity, and also confidence and reassurance in your organisation’s economic resilience, professional reputation and environmental and safety outcomes. Best of all, ISO 31000 […]
Fraud: Ripple effects of the Hurricane Harvey
As Hurricane Harvey devastates the Texas coast and the U.S. megacity of Houston, however its ripple effects go beyond as investigators will be on high alert for another type of threat: fraud. Disaster fraud is nothing new. Law enforcement, prosecutors and other legal authorities in eight different countries are still dealing with cases from 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, which devastated […]
Due diligence and tips to avoid fraud
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is preparing to pay roughly $300 million to resolve a long-running U.S. bribery investigation into allegations of bribery by its employees. The deal, which the people said was being finalised and still could change, would amount to a significant concession by the U.S. government. The Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission had […]
Protecting Data: Businesses Needs GDPR
In just over a year, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force in Europe. This sea change in data privacy is aimed at improving protections for individuals within the European Union, providing them with more control over how their personal data is used. It will also clarify and standardise from a legal […]
Fraud Prevention Strategy: build one in 6 easy steps
Ideally, every business should have a clearly defined fraud prevention strategy that incorporates all of the elements contained in the diagram show, starting with a writte fraud policy. Policy: Having protocols and policies in place for dealing with fraud will help you establish a good grounding for identifying it. Prevent and detect: In order to […]
Ethics and Compliance Hotline: your frequently asked questions answered…
GDPR: Everything you need to know
From eMarketer The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was put in place to standardise existing laws that call for transparency in how companies collect and store personal data about EU citizens. eMarketer’s Sean Creamer spoke with Scott Meyer, CEO and co-founder of Evidon, and Todd Ruback, the compliance services company’s chief privacy officer […]
How to Identify and Prevent Employee Fraud?
In 2017 the major European ABB conglomerate admitted that an employee took advantage of serious management failings to disappear with $103 million of the firm’s cash. According to CNN business, ABB admitted that its managers had failed to maintain sufficient segregation of duties in the treasury unit of its subsidiary in South Korea, and did not […]
Move Over, ID Theft – Here’s the New No. 1 Fraud
From CBS News Beware of bogus IRS agents, fake offers of tech support – in other words, impostors. They’ve overtaken identity thieves to become the nation’s top fraudsters, according to the latest consumer complaint data. The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel project, which tallies up the number and type of consumer complaints received each year, reported […]
Human Factor Risk Management (HFRM)
When any type of fraud, including employee fraud, is discovered, it’s usually by surprise. That’s because most of us aren’t used to looking for criminal behaviour inside our own organisation. We trust our employees and co-workers, and we keep our focus on succeeding as a team and accomplishing our goals for the business. Nobody wants […]
Importance of strong ISO 31000 risk management leadership
Managing risk effectively is essential to ensure businesses succeed and thrive in an environment of constant uncertainty. ISO 31000 aims to simplify risk management into a set of clearly understandable and actionable guidelines, that should be straightforward to implement, regardless of the size, nature, or location of a business. However without leadership, your risk management strategy […]
Structure of ISO management system standards
Survey proves compliance and quality hires demand background checks
Survey: Ensuring compliance, quality hires drives need for background checks A recent CRI Group survey of business leaders finds that enhanced regulatory compliance, ensuring quality hires and maintaining workplace safety and security were considered the top benefits of conducting background checks. Key considerations for engaging a background screening service include cost, turnaround time and compliance […]
Tips on Personal Due Diligence in Everyday Transactions
In the business world, due diligence refers to the investigation and steps taken by the organisation to satisfy all legal requirements, before buying or selling products/ services, or entering into a contract or a financial arrangement with another party. An Integrity Due Diligence allows an organisation to reduce risks – including risks arising from the FCPA (Foreign […]