Fraud Talk

In this episode of Fraud Talk, Fraud Magazine Editor-in-Chief Jen Liebman, CFE, is joined by ACFE President and CEO John Warren, J.D., CFE, to break down the most scandalous frauds of 2025 and what they reveal about today’s global fraud landscape. The discussion explores a series of sprawling international schemes, from what may be the largest Medicare fraud in U.S. history to cyber scam operations tied to human trafficking, pig butchering cryptocurrency scams, government corruption that destabilized a national economy and a state-sponsored crypto hack linked to North Korea. Along the way, they examine the growing scale and sophistication of transnational fraud, the human consequences behind the headlines and the critical role anti-fraud professionals play in confronting increasingly complex financial crime.

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Communications Director John Duffley sits down with Heather Vescent, a futurist, researcher and CEO of The Purple Tornado, to explore how strategic foresight can empower anti-fraud professionals to anticipate emerging threats and adapt to rapid technological change. The conversation covers the evolving role of AI in fraud detection, the importance of human intuition alongside automation, and the promise and challenges of new technologies such as decentralized identity. Vescent shares practical insights on blending technology and human expertise to build resilient, future-ready anti-fraud programs.

In this episode of Fraud Talk, we explore an often-overlooked risk factor inside organizations: boredom. Guest Garth Sheriff, CFE, CPA, educator and former actor, joins ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins to examine how disengagement in ethics training and workplace culture can quietly open the door to fraud. Sheriff draws on his unique background in accounting, acting and continuing education to show why storytelling and lived experience matter more than checklists when it comes to ethics.

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins speaks with David Maimon, a leading cyber crime and dark web researcher, to explore how the fraud landscape is being shaped by technology and organized criminal networks. Maimon shares how his work monitoring dark web activity uncovers trends like the use of AI in fraud, the rise of synthetic identities and the exploitation of death row inmates' information. He breaks down the fraud ecosystem, explains how public data can fuel identity theft and highlights red flags that can help fraud teams spot synthetic profiles.

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins speaks with Shai Gabay, CEO and co-founder of TrustMi, to explore how fraudsters are capitalizing on overworked teams, rushed vendor payments and internal blind spots to execute sophisticated B2B payment scams. From AI-assisted impersonation to social engineering tactics that prey on urgency, Gabay breaks down the fraud risks hiding in plain sight and what organizations can do to stay ahead without slowing down.

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Communications Director John Duffley speaks with Jim McConnell, CFE, about the growing threat of applicant fraud and hiring scams. With job seekers under increasing pressure, scammers exploit emotions and new technologies to steal personal information, impersonate companies and damage employer brands. McConnell breaks down the red flags of fraudulent recruiters, the rise of comment poisoning on platforms like LinkedIn, and how CFEs and HR teams can work together to spot and stop this emerging threat.

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins interviews Fraud Magazine Assistant Editor Crystal Zuzek, co-author of "Under Pressure". They explore the rising fraud risks facing Gen Z and millennials, both as victims and as perpetrators. From emotionally manipulative scams like sextortion to friendly fraud and the glamorization of con artists, Zuzek shares insight and real stories that reveal how digital lifestyles and economic pressures are shaping the next generation.

Whistleblowers are often key to uncovering fraud—but what happens after they report? In this episode of Fraud Talk, Jacqueline Garrick, founder of Whistleblowers of America and the Workplace Promise Institute, shares her journey from whistleblower to advocate. From moral injury to PTSD, Garrick shares how peer support and trauma-informed workplaces can protect whistleblowers and strengthen fraud prevention efforts.

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Content Manager Rihonna Scoggins speaks with Victor Cardona, adjunct professor of forensic accounting at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, to discuss their “Day in the Life of an IRS Agent” program. The initiative immerses students in real-world forensic accounting and criminal investigation scenarios, offering a hands-on look at careers in fraud prevention and compliance. Cardona shares how interactive education, mentorship and networking are key to inspiring the next generation of anti-fraud professionals—and why promoting ethical standards early on is essential in shaping the future workforce.

In this episode of Fraud Talk, ACFE Communications Director John Duffley sits down with Mason Wilder, CFE, ACFE Research Director, to break down the newly released In-House Fraud Investigation Teams: 2025 Benchmarking Report. Dive into a detailed discussion on how organizations are structuring their fraud teams—from the increasing number of investigators to the unique challenges they face across different company sizes. Learn about the role of in-house teams versus outsourced investigations, the evolving skill sets required in today’s complex fraud landscape and the critical balance between case volume and team efficiency.