There is always a digital footprint

Some people seem to think that if they don’t do something in the ‘real’ world, they leave no trace but this isn’t true; anything anyone does in the digital world leaves a trail and in the case of alleged fraudsters, it is the forensic accountant who will pick up on that scent and follow it.

So it is with a finance director for companies owned by former Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne, who has been charged with fraud by abuse of a position of trust and money laundering in relation to allegations concerning electronic transfers from the company accounts to his personal and business accounts. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), alleges that the almost £8m involved was used to pay personal debts, to gamble and to buy and renovate property.

The CPS has said that now criminal proceedings have started, it is important that there should be no reporting or commentary online that could prejudice the man’s right to a fair trial, so we cannot go into the details of the case. However, this is just one example of how an examination of an electronic trail can help with a case, either in defence or prosecution. 

Another recent example was that of a former Army General’s PA, who was jailed this week for making bogus claims to the MoD and faking emails authorising payment. In this case, the woman’s crimes came to light after accountants noticed an “unusual spike” in expense claims.  This clue started a forensic investigation and the fraud was uncovered.

Author: Roger Isaacs, 12 June 2015

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