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How about: "Unmasking the Shadows: An In-Depth Look at Internal Theft Investigations"?

Mary from Savvy Seniors speaks with forensic investigator Dave Oswald about how to avoid fraud.<figure id="figure-d13sk2vkrlx9jsmyl" class=""><iframe id="d13sk2vkrlx9jsmyl" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UlyC9IisbN4" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlyC9IisbN4&amp;list=PLBymkruQ_KwzxRV6W3xqJFtLPo9Tib-pV&amp;index=13" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UlyC9IisbN4" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><figure id="figure-7cpcxl2sstlx9js9pk" class=""><iframe id="7cpcxl2sstlx9js9pk" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y8M3umpsKhY" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8M3umpsKhY&amp;list=PLBymkruQ_KwzxRV6W3xqJFtLPo9Tib-pV&amp;index=12" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y8M3umpsKhY" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><figure id="figure-azn3468juolx9js1rl" class=""><iframe id="azn3468juolx9js1rl" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wn8SvCHyzbw" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn8SvCHyzbw&amp;list=PLBymkruQ_KwzxRV6W3xqJFtLPo9Tib-pV&amp;index=11&amp;t=353s" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wn8SvCHyzbw" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>

Savvy Seniors with Dave Oswald

Word - Divorce made up of wooden letters on the table with wedding rings.

In a pivotal family law case, the Applicant seeks to reduce his temporary child and spousal support payments to his child's mother, the Respondent, originally ordered on April 13, 2021. The couple, who married in 1996 and separated in 2015, have three children, with their youngest, 15-year-old Chase Galea, requiring extensive care due to cerebral palsy and severe hearing loss. This case involves complex financial assessments to determine the appropriate level of support. Both parties have submitted multiple expert reports to establish the Applicant's income. Key among these is a report by David M. Oswald, a Chartered Professional Accountant, who provided an in-depth analysis of the Applicant’s income based on recent bank statements. This article introduces Oswald's comprehensive report, which plays a crucial role in understanding the financial dynamics at play and the court’s decision-making process.Read the full report <a data-mce-href="https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:aabe377e-71f2-40a0-9e98-a3649295793a" href="https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:aabe377e-71f2-40a0-9e98-a3649295793a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>

Expert Witness Report: A Detailed Analysis of Income for Support - Galea v Galea

Amanda C. Riley AKA "Scamanda" represents a prime example of an exploitative fraudster, adeptly manipulating the trust and empathy inherent in her community, particularly her church, to perpetrate a long-standing scam. By claiming to battle Hodgkin's lymphoma, Riley orchestrated a deceitful narrative that enabled her to swindle over $100,000 from well-intentioned donors over seven years.<figure id="figure-ir0vtrhjxltzrjhds"><img id="ir0vtrhjxltzrjhds" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/29LqUlNv4ZZeRtAO0YbTvNfs5Gd2Nai52BpO3c70ejyYzwne8mpTp008VjlnEZj1.png" alt="3 x 3 rubiks cube" title="3 x 3 rubiks cube" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Featured Image Credit: Newsnation Now" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/29LqUlNv4ZZeRtAO0YbTvNfs5Gd2Nai52BpO3c70ejyYzwne8mpTp008VjlnEZj1.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Featured Image Credit: Newsnation Now</figcaption></figure>Riley’s meticulous construction of her fraudulent persona began with her blog, "Lymphoma Can Suck It," where she detailed her fictitious struggle with cancer. Her ability to announce remission four times, only to claim a recurrence of the disease, showcased her manipulative prowess. This recurring cycle of false hope and despair kept her audience emotionally engaged and financially supportive.Her sustained deception hinged on several factors:<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="1" data-mce-style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 33.3325%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3325%;">Societal Sympathy for Cancer Patients: Riley exploited the universal empathy felt for cancer sufferers, knowing the social taboo against questioning the authenticity of a patient’s illness.</td><td style="width: 33.3325%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3325%;">Detailed Fabrication and Physical Deception: She enriched her false narrative with medical jargon and sham documents, and even shaved her head, crafting a believable image of a cancer patient.</td><td style="width: 33.335%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.335%;">Digital Presence and Community:Riley used social media to document her fabricated journey and participated in community events, embedding herself within the network of trust and support of her church.</td></tr></tbody></table>The church community was instrumental in the success of Riley’s scheme. The inherent trust and emotional connections within this close-knit group allowed her to weave a convincing story that was rarely questioned:<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="1" data-mce-style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">Built-in Trust and Emotional Connection: The church environment, grounded in mutual trust and compassion, provided a ready-made audience for her fraudulent appeals.</td><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">Social Proof and Pressure: Riley’s cause was legitimized through communal support, creating a bandwagon effect that spurred more donations.</td><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">Frequent Access and Visibility: Regular interactions with community members at church events reinforced her fabricated identity and plight.</td><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">Exploiting Community Networks: She leveraged the interconnectedness of her community to expand her reach and enhance the credibility of her false claims. </td><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">Emotional Blackmail: The communal ethos of caring and support made it difficult for individuals to express scepticism or disbelief in her story.</td></tr></tbody></table>Riley's eventual exposure and legal repercussions stemmed from an investigative pursuit initiated by an anonymous tip, leading to an IRS investigation that uncovered the financial discrepancies in her claims. Her story, chronicled in the "Scamanda" podcast, not only highlights her manipulation and fraud but also serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for exploitation within community networks.In essence, Amanda C. Riley's case is a stark illustration of how an exploitative fraudster can skillfully harness the mechanisms of community and social media to perpetuate a complex, long-term scam, ultimately leading to significant legal and social consequences

Deceit Exposed: Uncovering the Cancer Fraud Scheme

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Fraud isn’t just about numbers and systems—it’s also about people. What drives people to commit fraud, and what can we do to stop it?<h3>Why Do People Commit Fraud?</h3> Seeing the Chance: People to commit fraud if they notice a weak spot where they can take advantage without getting caught. This is often because the rules aren’t strict enough or there’s no one checking their actions. Making Excuses: Those who commit fraud often tell themselves stories to justify their actions. They might feel they deserve more for their hard work or believe they’re fixing a wrong done to them. Feeling the Pressure: Sometimes, people face tough situations, like needing more money to pay bills or wanting to keep up with friends’ lifestyles. This pressure can push them to take what isn’t theirs. Who They Are: Some personality traits, like not caring about others’ feelings, thinking highly of oneself, or liking to take risks, might be more common in people who commit fraud. But, remember, not everyone with these traits will do something wrong.<h3> The Problem of Starting Small</h3> Fraud usually begins with something small—a test to see if they can get away with it. When they don’t get caught, they might try for more. This can lead to a cycle where the fraud grows bigger and bigger.<h3>Why Can’t They Stop fraudulent behavior?</h3> Living Large: As people steal more, they might start living a fancier lifestyle that they need to keep supporting. Getting Used to It: After a while, what seemed wrong at first might not feel so bad. It can become a habit that’s hard to break. Covering Up: Sometimes, people continue committing fraud just to hide what they’ve already done.<h3> How Can We Prevent Fraud?</h3> Understanding why people do helps us in preventing fraud. Here’s what we can do to prevent fraud:Make it Harder: Improve rules and checks within organizations. Teach and Support: Help everyone understand why it’s important to stay honest and offer help to those who might feel pushed into a corner. Watch and Listen: Use technology to spot when things don’t look right, but also remember the value of simply paying attention to people’s behavior and concerns.<h3>Wrapping Up</h3>Fraud is a tricky problem because it involves understanding people just as much as processes. By keeping an eye out for the warning signs and creating a supportive and strict environment, we can all understand what drives people to commit fraud and help in the fight against fraud. Let’s work together to build workplaces where honesty is valued and protected.For more tips on preventing fraud, reach out to our team at info@forensicrestitution.com.

Understanding Fraud: What drives people to deceive?

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In this weeks episode of popular Podcast- Divorcing Well, Leanne Townsend chats to forensic accountant Dave Oswald about spouses who hide money or assets. Dave discusses the process for finding assets and money, pitfalls to avoid , things to look for and he shares some great success stories.<a title="Uncovering Hidden Assets with Dave Oswald" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/uncovering-hidden-assets-with-dave-oswald/id1498258120?i=1000641814056" data-mce-href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/uncovering-hidden-assets-with-dave-oswald/id1498258120?i=1000641814056">https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/uncovering-hidden-assets-with-dave-oswald/id1498258120?i=1000641814056</a>Divorce settlements involve the fair distribution of marital assets and debts. However, the process becomes exceedingly complex when one party attempts to hide assets, underreport income, or employ various financial tactics to skew the settlement in their favor. This deceit not only compromises the financial future of the affected party but also undermines the very idea of a fair settlement.

Latest Forensic Insights

How about: "Unmasking the Shadows: An In-Depth Look at In...

Savvy Seniors with Dave Oswald

Expert Witness Report: A Detailed Analysis of Income for ...

Deceit Exposed: Uncovering the Cancer Fraud Scheme

Understanding Fraud: What drives people to deceive?

Uncovering hidden assets in divorce.