The pandemic led to many changes in the way businesses operate. Over the past two years, from business models to sourcing and procurement processes, and even investigation methods, had to be reinvented to keep up with the demands of these changing times. With the virus at large and social distancing an effective way to tackle it, businesses transitioned to remote or virtual working environments. While these working models and increased online transactions helped flatten the curve to some extent, they also led to concerns such as operational monitoring, procurement malpractices and rising ransomware attacks This unprecedented situation also raised questions on the integrity of third parties, employees as well as other stakeholders involved. Hence, many companies turned to technology to mitigate fraudulent activities, including procurement fraud risks and maintain the sanctity of their business operations.
Understanding procurement frauds
According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), businesses lose up to 5% of their revenue, amounting to $3.7 trillion worldwide to fraud each year.
Procurement frauds take place while obtaining goods or services for business purposes. The most common frauds in this scenario involve a tradeoff, either in cash or kind, in exchange for a favor. To give an example, a vendor may be issued a contract at a significantly higher price than the market price, and the procurement manager is compensated in cash, material items, or other ways for awarding the contract. Procurement malpractices are usually perpetrated by contractors, third party sub-contractors, and, at times, might also involve inhouse staff. These can occur during different phases of the procurement process such as initiation, delivery, payment of goods.