
21
3
The Dynamics and Root
Causes of Fraud
INTRODUCTION
Now that the reader understands the basic elements of fraud, we move on
to an essential component of the Red Flag System: the dynamics and root
causes of fraud.
WHO COMMITS FRAUD?
There is a great deal of research on who commits fraud. Studies have
found the following characteristics of the typical fraudster:
• Roughly two- thirds of fraud cases are committee by males.
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• About half of all fraudsters are between the ages of thirty- one
and forty- ve.
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• More than half of fraudsters have a college degree or higher.
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• More than one- third of fraudsters work in a nance function.
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Associat