Professional Certificate in Fraud Investigation
This certified course teaches the key components of investigative practice, from the elementary to the complex. From understanding key legislation and gathering intelligence, to interviewing witnesses and closing a case, it is essential learning for those working in, or aspiring to work in, fraud investigations. Relevant to public, private and third sector professionals. Fully certified and Ofqual-recognised.
You’ll gain a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of being a fraud investigator including conducting ethical, proportionate and fair investigations. You’ll explore the fraud types and theories that help you understand why people are motivated to commit fraud, and review the key legislation that underpins fraud investigations. You’ll understand how to identify and use intelligence, work with partner agencies, and plan a corporate fraud investigation. Finally, you’ll learn how to report on an investigation’s findings to support disciplinary or judicial proceedings.
Course Module Details
The main objective of the SFJ Awards Level 4 Professional Certificate in Fraud Investigation is to develop the learner’s knowledge and skills in how to conduct fraud investigations.
The qualification covers the key components of investigative practice, and the role and responsibilities of being a fraud investigator including conducting ethical, proportionate and fair investigations. Learners will explore the fraud types and theories that help identify why people are motivated to commit fraud, and review the legislation that underpins fraud investigations. Learners will also gain an understanding of how to identify and use intelligence and work with partner agencies. They will learn how to report on an investigation’s findings to support disciplinary or judicial proceedings. Learners will also develop their skills in conducting investigative interviews and planning a corporate fraud investigation.
Unit 1. Understanding Fraud and Fraudsters
Gain a thorough understanding of fraud, including the types of fraud and the motivations to commit it, and how corporate structures such as shell companies can be used to facilitate fraud. The unit also covers the range of fraud indicators and how they might be identified.
Unit 1 learning outcomes:
- Understand fraud
- Understand how corporate structures are used in fraud
- Understand why people commit fraud
- Understand fraud and financial crime typologies and key enablers
- Be able to identify fraud indicators
Unit 2. The role of the Fraud Investigator
Understand the role and responsibilities of the fraud investigator and the importance of ethical, proportionate and fair investigations, as well as the requirement to maintain your own professional knowledge.
Unit 2 learning outcomes:
- Understand the fraud investigator role
- Understand the professional requirements of the fraud investigator role
- Understand fair and ethical investigations
Unit 3. Understanding legislation and regulations relating to fraud investigation
Gain knowledge of the legislation and regulatory framework relevant to the investigation of fraud, and an understanding of the criminal legislation used to prosecute fraud offenders.
Unit 3 learning outcomes:
- Understand the legislative and procedural frameworks that relate to corporate fraud investigations
- Understand fraud and related financial crime legislation
- Understand civil legislation and procedures relevant to corporate fraud investigations
- Understand the regulatory framework and bodies for financial services
Unit 4. Understanding intelligence gathering
Understand the intelligence cycle and how to identify and handle intelligence in accordance with recognised protocols.
Unit 4 learning outcomes
- Understand the intelligence cycle
- Understand the National Intelligence Model
- Understand how to use and analyse intelligence in fraud investigations
- Understand the sources of intelligence
- Understand intelligence handling in fraud prevention and detection
Unit 5. Principles of Fraud Investigation
Gain the core knowledge of the different aspects of a corporate fraud investigation and how to carry one out.
Unit 5 learning outcomes
- Understand the investigation models for fraud enquiries
- Understand an investigative mind-set
- Understand the decision-making process
- Understand supporting victims of fraud
- Understand the principles of evidence
- Understand the management of materials during an investigation
- Understand the differences of approach in civil, criminal and regulatory investigations
- Understand the management of parallel investigations
- Understand record keeping during an investigation
Unit 6. Working with partner organisations in fraud investigations
Gain the knowledge required when working with partner organisations on fraud investigations, including the role of communication and their own responsibilities.
Unit 6 learning outcomes:
- Understand working with partner organisations in fraud investigations
- Understand communication in partnership working in fraud investigations
- Understand working with law enforcement agencies in fraud investigations
- Understand own role and responsibilities in partnership working
Unit 7. Undertaking Interviews in Fraud Investigations
Acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake an investigative interview. This unit covers how the memory works, effective question types to aid memory recall, written statements and the use of cautions.
Unit 7 learning outcomes:
- Understand principles of investigative interviews of witnesses, victims and suspects
- Understand how to conduct a fraud interview
- Understand the use of cautions in the interview process
- Understand how to take written statements
- Be able to conduct investigative interviews
Unit 8. Fraud Investigation planning and process
Learn how to undertake a corporate fraud investigation and use this knowledge to plan one.
Unit 8 Learning outcomes
- Understand how to develop a case theory
- Understand how to resource an investigation
- Understand how to build a case
- Understand the briefing models used in fraud investigations
- Be able to plan a fraud investigation
Unit 9 Fraud Investigation reporting and closure
Equip yourself with knowledge of reporting requirements in fraud investigations and the process for closing fraud cases, including the judicial process and the use of debriefs and sanctions.
Unit 9 learning outcomes:
- Understand report writing in fraud investigations
- Understand disclosure requirements
- Understand the judicial process relating to fraud investigations
- Understand structured debriefs in fraud investigations
Understand the use of sanctions in fraud cases
Entry Requirements
Open to UK, EU and international individuals working in the field of fraud prevention and investigation, or looking to develop a career in the area. No prior entry requirements.
Schedule & Teaching
18 weeks teaching, additional 8 weeks for written assignment completion.
Prior to the course start date, there will be an induction in the week prior. Late enrollers who miss induction but join before the course start date will be accommodated.
All teaching is currently virtual, via Zoom.
Tutor led teaching will take place as one day sessions, delivered once a week, for the first 11 weeks. Sessions can be recorded to provide flexibility for individual work-life commitments, but we strongly recommend that learners attend the live sessions to gain the full benefit of the course.
Induction: Week before course commences
Week 1 and 2: Unit 1 & 2
Week 3 and 4: Unit 3 & 4
Week 5 and 6: Unit 5 & 6
Week 7 and 8: Unit 7
Week 9 and 10: Unit 8 & 9
Week 11: Summary
Week 12-20: Written assignment
