The (Sobering) Reality:

These days, efforts to promote fraud awareness are everywhere. The reason: fraud is pervasive. It affects an ever-increasing share of our day-to-day activities. Some schemes have stood the test of time, even if their mechanics have been refined. Others have arisen entirely from modern technology. Often, with the right tools and access, misappropriating fraudsters can more effectively classify and screen their potential victims, even while targeting a broader range of asset classes, than in prior times. In the same vein, misrepresenting fraudsters may employ emerging techniques to better "sanitize" their actions, design pretexts, and avoid accountability. It's practically a truism these days, but consumers and businesses must be proactive in managing their day-to-day exposure to fraud.

Equally critical, those who have fallen prey to a scheme must consider which processes maximize their recovery prospects. Some circumstances are prime candidates for investigation or litigation engagements. Others, frankly, are not. Based on its experience, this firm believes that adopting a multifaceted “flowchart” strategy—one responsive to the victim's recovery and cost objectives—can ease clients short-term concerns and help them understand how specific approaches align with their objectives. Even so, no matter what you hear, no single professional, group, or approach is equipped to handle the vast spectrum of all “fraud engagements.” Victims should generally vet multiple professionals and ask difficult questions of those who make the short list.

Not to pour even more cold water on it, but...

In considering investigation or litigation, victims should also remain guarded when forming any expectations. Results cannot be guaranteed, and they should refrain from overgeneralizing the outcomes of “similar” matters, which may, in fact, depend on subtle factual distinctions.

The Response:

This firm believes that fraud engagements may call for professionals with multidisciplinary backgrounds and perspectives. Managed by Trey Bruce, attorney, CPA, Certified Fraud Examiner, Elijah Watt Sells Award recipient (2015), and former financial statement auditor, this firm strives to maximize such value and seeks to provide cost-effective and highly personalized representation. Trey has worked with numerous classes of (alleged) fraud and schemes, including but not limited to wire fraud, forgery, social engineering, fraudulent construction-lien assertion, elder exploitation, (mule) money laundering, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary duties, fraudulent transfers, and notary fraud.

The firm considers engagements relating to varying categories of fraud—misappropriation, corruption, fraudulent representations, and/or otherwise. Engagements generally fall into one of the following types:

• Consulting - fraud prevention, controls; detection; response.
• Investigating/Litigating - fraud detection and response, particularly when relating to schemes carried out through series of financial transactions.

Ultimately, it's impossible to spell out all potential engagements on this page. If you believe the firm can help you, consider reaching out.