CFE-Investigation Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) - Investigation Questions and Answers

The manuals explain that in verbal confessions, subjects oftenunderestimatethe amounts to minimize guilt, not overestimate. The process involves moving from accusation to benchmark admission, handling lies tactfully, and obtaining details by chronology, transaction, or event. Thus, optionBis NOT true.

The2014 Fraud Examiners ManualandCFE Prepexplain:

“Closing questions seek to close the interview positively. In routine interviews, closing questions serve the following purposes: reconfirm facts, gather additional facts, and conclude the interview in a manner required to maintain goodwill.”

Thus, the correct answer isA.

TheFraud Examiners Manualstates:

“If a business or individual constructs a new building or makes improvements to an existing building, there should be a building permit on file with the local building authority. In many cases, the person applying for permits will be the owner or someone traceable to the owner.”

CFE Prepsupports this:

“Building permit records… are often required before most businesses can open… and often list the owner or someone traceable to the owner.”

Thus,building permit recordsare most likely to help identify the restaurant’s owner.

“The failure to preserve the integrity of digital evidence could result in evidence being deemed inadmissible in a legal proceeding, or, even if admitted, it might not be given much weight because evidence of questionable authenticity does not provide reliable proof.”

Therefore,D is the most accurate statement.

Thecorrect answeris:Whether recording is legal depends onconsent laws— so the most helpful question is effectively:“Is consent required from one or all parties to record this conversation?”

Among the provided choices, theclosest matchisNOT listed explicitly. But based on the ACFE manuals, the correct interpretation is that none of the technical details (audio/video, file format, time, duration) matter —only the legal consent requirement matters.

Complete Detailed Explanation with Exact Extracts from Fraud Examiner (CFE) - Investigation Documents: =

The2014 International Fraud Examiners Manualstates:

“In some circumstances, recording an interview might be illegal. Some jurisdictions limit an employer’s right to record employee interviews during an investigation. In fact, in some jurisdictions, audio recording an interview is permitted only with the consent of all parties to the communication. Thus, fraud examiners should always consult with an attorney when deciding whether to record an interview.”

It further emphasizes:

“A telephone recording consent form stipulates where, when, and with whom telephone conversations can be recorded… Be cautioned that the form alone does not make the conduct of recording a telephone conversation illegal or legal.”

????Interpretation:

The legality of recording has nothing to do with:

Audio vs video(A)

Digital file format(B)

Work hours(C)

Duration(D)

Instead, it dependsentirely on jurisdictional consent laws(one-party vs all-party consent).

“Electronic payment records can be valuable in tracing investigations… they can reveal, among other things,assets the subject has purchased”.

They can also reveal loans, real estate taxes, and business locations, but not directly whether Lottie is “skimming” funds.

The recommended questioning order is:

“As a general rule, questioning should proceed from thegeneral to the specific; that is, it is best to seek general information before seeking details”.

This ensures the respondent provides a free narrative before narrowing down to specifics.

TheFraud Examiners Manualexplains:

“A Certified Fraud Examiner should not promise confidentiality or leniency to an informant to obtain testimony… the confidentiality relationship runs first to the client or employer”.

Thus, Lisa cannot guarantee full confidentiality but may state she will do her best.

TheFraud Examiners ManualandCFE Prepemphasize:

“Generally, documentary evidence, including digital evidence, will not be admitted in a legal proceeding unless it is established as authentic… Consequently, fraud examiners who collect evidence from social media must capture, download, and preserve any useful information as soon as they discover it, and they must memorialize each step of the collection process”.

Thus, preservation for authenticity is the key.

TheFraud Examiners Manuallistsspecific queries for accounts payable analysis, including:

“Review recurring monthly expenses and compare to posted/paid invoices.”.

While comparing book vs. tax depreciation applies toasset management(not A/P), and identifying paycheck anomalies applies topayroll(not A/P), the most effective A/P-specific test is the recurring expense comparison. Hence,Cis correct.

Both the Manual and CFE Prep guides emphasize thatdeleted files are recoverable until overwritten. Once overwritten, the original data cannot be retrieved:

“Deleted files are recoverable until they are overwritten because data is not erased… until overwritten. So, deleted files that have been overwritten generally arenot recoverable.”

Other file types (deleted shortcuts, hidden files, etc.) can often be recovered, butoverwritten files are lost permanently.

TheCFE Prep – Investigationsnotes:

“Court records are best obtained from the jurisdiction in which they were filed… The most accurate records are maintained by the court of original jurisdiction, not global or aggregated databases.”

Thus, the best place for Sam is thelocal court of jurisdiction, not a global database.

The manual explains:

“Link analysis is very effective for identifying indirect relationships… and is particularly useful when conducting a money laundering investigation because it can track the placement, layering, and integration of money” .

Therefore, statementA is false, making it the correct choice.

“To locate people using online records… First, when searching for an individual, the fraud examiner should obtain a past address of the subject, and search activities should begin with that information”.

This aligns with the Prep guide: “Obtaining a past address of the subject should be the first step in trying to locate a subject using online records”.

Thus, B is correct.

TheFraud Examiners Manualclarifies:

“The recommendations section is optional, and there might be instances where the fraud examiner wishes to discuss remedial measures or specific recommendations in a separate document”.

The Prep guide also states: “A written report might include a section for recommendations”.Thus, it isnot requiredin every report.

Textual analytics is described as:

“a method of using software to extract usable information from unstructured text data… to reveal patterns, sentiments, and relationships indicative of fraud… Textual analytics provides the ability to uncover additional warning signs of rogue employee behavior”.

Its purpose isnotto find direct admissions but to identify indicators and patterns.

“Due to the risks of illicit transactions, most jurisdictions require financial institutions to obtain information about the ownership and control of the foreign bank with which they maintain correspondent relationships”.

The2014 International Fraud Examiners Manualstates:

“Asset hiders look for certain characteristics in the financial vehicles they use to conceal assets. Asset hiders want products that are liquid (i.e., items that can be purchased and sold in a short period of time). Moreover, asset hiders want products that are difficult to trace or untraceable. With such instruments, asset hiders can break or muddy links between the initial receipt of the assets and their final disposition. Asset hiders also look for products that are secure and accessible.”

TheCFE Prep - Investigationsguide confirms:

“Asset hiders want products that are liquid, difficult to trace, secure, and accessible… NOT transparent.”

????Interpretation:

Accessibility= common desirable trait (correct).

Transparency= opposite of concealment (not desirable).

Exclusivity= not a standard consideration.

Traceability= asset hiders want the opposite (difficult to trace).

Both the Manual and CFE Prep guides emphasize that forensic imaging is essential because:

“Forensic analysis should not be performed on suspect devices directly because doing so can alter or damage digital evidence, and imaging… allows a fraud examiner to view and analyse… without altering the original data in any way”.

A forensic image is anexact, sector-by-sector copyof the drive. Thus, imaging preserves evidence integrity.

Predictive analytics is defined as:

“the use of historical data combined with statistical, analytical, and machine learning techniques to create models that capture trends and produce forecasts”.

So, optionCbest describes predictive analytics.

Complex questions:

“consist of a series of interrelated questions… too complicated to be easily understood, cover more than one subject, or require more than one answer”.

The question asked by Delta (“Were you aware that the signature was forged, and why didn’t you tell anyone earlier?”) covers two issues, making itcomplex.

In admission-seeking interviews, one rationalization technique is todepersonalize the victim(e.g., shifting the perception so the harm was against a company, not individuals). The example in the question—“It isn’t like you took something from a friend or neighbor”—is exactly this technique.

TheFraud Examiners Manualclearly states:

“Accessing information set to private could result in claims under privacy laws. Thus, information on social media sites that is restricted by privacy settings could result in liability for fraud examiners due to violation of users’ privacy rights.”

Therefore,D is correct

When preparing for interviews, fraud examiners should avoid scripting detailed questions. Instead, they prepare notes of key points to cover.

From the Fraud Examiners Manual:

“Whenever possible, do not prepare a list of predetermined questions to ask the subject. The interview should flow freely. The interviewer might, however, want to develop alist of key points to coverduring the interview”.

Therefore, the best preparation method is to note key points instead of detailed questions.

Body language alone (e.g., avoiding eye contact) cannot be taken as proof of deception. The Manual warns against drawing conclusions from a single behavioral cue:

“Avoiding eye contact isnot directly linked to deception. Such behavior could stem from cultural norms, nervousness, or personality traits. Examiners should consider clusters of behavior, context, and corroborating evidence before concluding deception”.

Therefore,Cis correct.

TheFraud Examiners Manualstresses that fraud examiners mustnever promise unconditional confidentiality, because findings often must be disclosed to management, auditors, or authorities. They can only offer “qualified confidentiality” (best efforts to protect identity, but with necessary limits). Therefore, optionAis the most appropriate response.

“The interviewer generally should indicate his name and company, but he should avoid stating his title. In general, the more informal the interview, the more relaxed the respondent”.

Introducing oneself only by name and company (not title like CFE or auditor) avoids intimidation and builds cooperation.

TheFraud Examiners Manualnotes that EU privacy laws (e.g., EU Data Protection Directive, precursor to GDPR) restrict or prohibit the transfer of personal data to non-EU countries without compliance:

“Many foreign countries—and those in the European Union (EU) in particular—restrict or prohibit processing and transferring personal data… The EU’s directive… places limits on transmitting personal data to non-EU countries”.

Thus, since the fraud examiner is handling data about an EU-based employee, GDPR compliance is required, even if the examiner is outside the EU.

Explanation with Extracts= The2014 Fraud Examiners Manualstates:

“The EU Data Protection Directive … regulates the processing, using, and transferring of personal data within the European Union, and it places limits on transmitting personal data to non-EU countries”.

Therefore, a U.S.-based examiner handling HR data of an EU employee must comply with EU GDPR requirements.

According to CFE guidance, when planning interviews, fraud examiners should:

“Consider what the interview is intended to accomplish and state an objective.

Review the case file to ensure that important information has not been overlooked.

Prepare a list of topics and general questions.

Choose a neutral and nonthreatening environment so the subject does not feel intimidated.”

Holding the interview in a venue intended to make the subject feel uncomfortableviolates proper CFE interview practice. Hence,Dis correct.

TheFraud Examiners Manualadvises avoiding prematurely alerting perpetrators. Recommended methods include:

“Conducting investigations at times when the suspect is not present (such as nonbusiness hours)”.

This avoids tipping off suspects.

The2014 International Fraud Examiners Manualprovides examples of data analysis for accounts payable:

“Examples of data analysis queries that can be performed to help detect fraud through examination of accounts payable include:

• Audit paid invoices for manual comparison with actual invoices.

•Summarise large invoices by amount, vendor, etc.

• Identify debits to expense accounts outside of set default accounts.

• Reconcile cheque registers to disbursements by vendor invoice.”

While other functions apply to payroll or asset management, themost effective function for accounts payablefraud detection is tosummarize large invoices by amount and vendor.

The Fraud Examiners Manual makes clear that covert operations areextraordinary measuresthat require high skill and planning and should be used only when no other practical method is available. They carry significant risks, includingembarrassment, liability, and even injury or death. Therefore, covert operations should not be the first resort but instead follow conventional evidence-gathering efforts.

Explanation: After alibis are diffused, suspects may become quiet, withdrawn, or even cry. This often indicates they are considering confession. At this point, the interviewer should present analternative question, forcing a choice between two answers that both imply guilt, thus leading toward a benchmark admission.

Digital forensics guidance stresses:

If the computer isoff,do not turn it on, because booting will alter files and timestamps.

If the computer isonand volatile data is needed (e.g., RAM), a formally trained examiner may collect it live. Otherwise, simply unplugging the system (hard shutdown) preserves volatile evidence better than a graceful shutdown.

Thus, if the evidence exists only in volatile data and the system is running, Nobles may collect it via the normal interface.

✅Answer: A. If Lucas's computer is running, Nobles may retrieve data… if the evidence exists only in volatile data

TheFraud Examiners Manualexplains:

“Benford’s Law applies to data that is not assigned (such as IDs or phone numbers) but that occurs naturally in transactions. For example, payment amounts, invoice values, and expense reimbursements are well suited.”

Thus,payment amountsare best suited for Benford’s Law.

Observing signs of wealth (sports car, home remodeling) may raise suspicion, but by itself it doesnot provide sufficient predicationto accuse or notify management of fraud. The proper next step is to conduct discreet inquiries to determine if further evidence exists before escalating.

From the2014 International Fraud Examiners Manual, under the section related to tracing financial transactions, specifically tracing the disposition of loan proceeds, the following objectives of tracing activities are explicitly outlined:

“Tracing the disposition of loan proceeds can help fraud examiners:

Determine whether loan proceeds were deposited into hidden or unknown accounts

Determine whether loan proceeds were used to pay off other loans

Identify the involvement of previously unknown individuals (potential witnesses)

Determine whether payments were made from hidden accounts

Identify undisclosed related-party transactions”

There isno mentionthat tracing loan proceeds can uncoverprevious civil offensescommitted by the subject. Civil offenses refer to non-criminal violations (e.g., breach of contract, torts), which tracing offinancial transactions like loan proceedsis not directly designed to uncover.

This isnot a recognized purposeof tracing as taught in the CFE Investigation section. The core objectives revolve around uncovering hidden assets, hidden accounts, payments, and potential witnesses —not prior legal infractions.

Therefore, thecorrect answer is A, as it is the only option that isNOT trueaccording to official CFE investigation materials.

Best practices emphasize separation:

“Interviews should be conducted one-on-one to reduce the possibility of collusion, contamination, or intimidation of witnesses” (Fraud Examiners Manual – Interviewing Guidelines).This ensures independent and uncontaminated statements.

The manual and CFE Prep list the main limitations:

Coverage varies by jurisdiction.

Searches are limited in area.

Records are often abstracts.

Information may be inaccurate or outdated.

Searches can be erratic.

Nowhere is “difficulty in finding database companies” mentioned.

During admission-seeking interviews, when suspects persist with denials or alibis, examiners are trained to diffuse them. Accepted techniques include:

Discussing testimony of witnesses,

Displaying physical evidence, and

Downplaying the strength of evidence.

However, manuals caution that discussing a suspect’sprior deceptionsis not an effective or recommended method to diffuse alibis. It risks confrontation and may damage rapport, reducing chances of confession.

Therefore, optionCis the exception.

TheFraud Examiners Manualexplains:

“Before running tests on the data, the fraud examiner must make certain the data being analysed are relevant and reliable for the objective of the engagement… Using the profile of potential frauds as a guide, the fraud examiner must identify the target data for analysis”.

“Credit card records… show card purchasing limits, previous payment history, account balance,when and where the subject has travelled, restaurants frequented, and assets acquired. In short, these records show the movements and habits of the person”.

Therefore,Bis correct.

Websites ending in “.onion” are only accessible via specialized browsers (e.g., Tor). The Fraud Examiner prep materials note:

“.onion sites are part of the dark web, which is distinct from the surface web and deep web. Accessing requires specialized browsers” (CFE Prep – Investigations).Thus, Jade must use a dark web browser.

The Fraud Examiners Manual and CFE Prep Guide explain that tracing loan proceeds is a key investigative tool, but its scope is limited. Specifically, it helps determine:

if proceeds were deposited into hidden accounts,

if hidden accounts were used for loan payments, and

if loans were secured by hidden assets or unknown witnesses.

However, the manuals do not state that tracing loan proceeds can identify internal control weaknesses. That is a different aspect of fraud examination, often addressed through audit procedures or control assessments.

Thus, optionDis NOT true.

Best practice is to conduct interviewsindividually. The Manual states:

“When conducting interviews, witnesses should beinterviewed separately. Interviewing multiple witnesses together risks contamination of testimony and reduced reliability of responses”.

CFE Prepclarifies entrapment:

“Entrapment occurs when law enforcement induces a person to commit a crime that he is not predisposed to commit… It is imperative that adequate predication exists before the operation is commenced. For example, if the officer received a reliable tip, that could serve as adequate predication.”

Here, the officer acted on a reliable tip, so the entrapment claim would fail.

“The interviewer must not express disgust, outrage, or moral condemnation… the basic logic of obtaining confessions can be summed up asmaximize sympathy and minimize the perception of moral wrongdoing”.

Sympathy creates an environment conducive to confession, while other options (third-party presence, emphasizing immorality, or pressuring with time) are explicitly discouraged.