NCJ Number
218874
Journal
Crime Prevention & Community Safety: An International Journal Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2007 Pages: 130-137
Date Published
April 2007
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the major issues surrounding the evolution of the counter-fraud profession in the United Kingdom (UK).
Abstract
Until the late 1990s, fraud investigation work in the United Kingdom was an underdeveloped profession that had no centralized protocols or standardized training. In 1999, developments in both the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the National Health Service (NHS) ushered in changes in the counter fraud industry. The DWP began development on a training and certification course for all fraud investigators while the NHS created its Counter Fraud Service and required that all newly recruited counter fraud specialists (CFS) must have standardized training. A partnership was formed with the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies (ICJS) at the University of Portsmouth, which led to the ICJS accreditation of the new learning process for CFS. The successful completion of the foundation phase of fraud investigation training now leads to the professional qualification of “Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist” (ACFS). By 2006, many of the 9,512 ACFS’ were private citizens who worked within many public and private organizations to combat fraud. The qualifications provided by the ICJS have given the profession greater credibility and a more informed approach to investigative processes. The ICJS has recently developed an online forum for networking and sharing best practices. Additionally, the passage of the 2006 Fraud Act has signified the UK Government’s commitment to identifying and reducing acts of fraud in the public and private sectors. Tables, references