Page 551 - ACFE Fraud Reports 2009_2020

Perpetrators

Perpetrator’s Employment History
As shown in Figure 93, approximately 83% of occupational fraudsters had never been terminated or punished for
any form of fraud-related conduct prior to the crimes in this study. Thus, in terms of both criminal and employment
history, most people who commit occupational fraud are likely first-time offenders. Readers should note, however, that
according to Figure 100 on page 75, about 40% of fraud cases in our study were never referred to law enforcement,
and according to Figure 106 on page 78, a significant number of perpetrators either received no punishment from their
employers, were permitted to resign, or entered into settlement agreements (which typically are confidential). There-
fore, it is very likely that the actual number of perpetrators with a history of fraud-related conduct is higher than what
can be identified through conviction reports and employment background records.

Figure 93: Employment Background of Perpetrator

Other Previously Terminated
2.3% 8.3%

Previously Punished
8.7%

6.6% 2.9%
Never Punished
or Terminated
82.5%

REPORT TO THE NATIONS ON OCCUPATIONAL FRAUD AND ABUSE 67