North East Fraud Forum
The North East Fraud Forum (NEFF) was launched at St. James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, in March 2003 and since that time has held 8 conferences, 20 masterclasses and three six day training courses, and several training programmes designed to meet individual organisations specific requirements. Over 2500 delegates attended these events and the membership now stands at over 200 organisations. The NEFF is a not for profit organisation and the ideology of the NEFF is set out in the aim below:-
Aim of the project
The culture of British business has a tendency to inhibit proper fraud prevention. The aim of the NEFF is to promote fraud awareness and successful fraud prevention strategies across both public and private sector regions, by creating a culture of transparency with better flows of information and open discussion aimed at promoting more widespread understanding and better sharing of ideas.
NEFF 2003
March 2003 saw the launch of the NEFF with a Fraud conference held at St. James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. 400 delegates from a broad spectrum of public and private sectors attended. The feedback from these delegates was evident that there was a need for the NEFF and that its aims and ideas were seen to be very much in keeping with those envisaged by the organisers.
Two further conferences and 9 Masterclasses were held throughout 2003; over 1000 delegates attended these events each playing an integral part in fraud awareness promotion.
The NEFF web site was created allowing access to anyone wishing to be appraised of current fraud trends and other invaluable information.
NEFF 2004
The NEFF hosted two 6 module training courses for its members and non – members each module was a day in length and provided a basic knowledge of offences, procedures and laws under which investigations and prosecutions may be undertaken. Such training was also designed to equip attendees with some legal and procedural knowledge and skills to undertake such investigations.
The NEFF also hosted 2 conferences concentrating on the two areas of Retail Fraud and Charity Fraud and 3 Masterclasses on Money Laundering in the Public Sector, Combating Economic Crime and a US Embassy Briefing based on the worldwide problem of money laundering.
In conjunction with RSM International a CD ROM was produced to promote the NEFF model, which culminated in a presentation to UNCITRAL in Vienna in April 2004.
A survey of organisations designed to identify the scale and impact of fraud across the U.K. was also conducted by RSM Robson Rhodes endorsed by the Home Office, Fraud Advisory Panel and the NEFF. The results of which were released this year details of which can be seen on the RSM Robson Rhodes website.
The NEFF also produced a 10-point plan to combat economic crime; this was designed by DC Frank Nesbitt of Northumbria Police ECU and secretary of the NEFF.
The NEFF continued its proactive approach in fighting economic crime not just in the North East but also countrywide.
The NEFF hosted two conferences:-
• NEFF Annual Conference held 9th May titled ‘Fighting Back’.
• NEFF Identity Fraud Conference held 5th September.
Organised 3 masterclass presentations on the topics of Credit Card Crime, Corporate Fraud and Forged Documents. We also delivered three seminars on Telecommunications Fraud, Preventing Computer Crime and Betting and Gambling Fraud.
Provided another 6 module training programme following the successful introduction of the NEFF training programme in 2004.
Produced two training DVD’s in conjunction with its partners based on the topics of Combating Economic Crime and Money Laundering.
Delivered several training programmes designed to individual organisations specific requirements.
Successfully promoted the NEFF concept not just across the country but also Europe and Internationally we presented the NEFF model at Fraud Conferences in Washington USA and Budapest Hungary.
We supported the formation of two other Fraud Forums based on the model of the NEFF in the East of England in the Norwich / East Anglia area the EFF and the East of Scotland based in Edinburgh the ESFF.
NEFF 2006
The NEFF will organise 2 conferences this year the first will be the Annual Conference on Thursday 8th June titled “Learning from Fraudsters”, the second will be held in November.
Further Masterclasses and Seminars will be delivered these will be based on topics relevant to our members.
The 6 module training programme will be continued and later in the year a second training programme will start this will follow on from our first programme but will be in more depth, practical based with case studies etc and will be accredited so that delegates can gain entry to degree courses at Teesside University.
We are committed to providing an online Training Campus through our website where members will be able to access our training modules online at their workplace.
Provide support for the formation of other Forums based on the NEFF model throughout the country and Europe.
Produce further training DVD’s on relevant fraud topics.
Continue to promote fraud awareness across the North East and country wide.
Continue to develop our partnerships with other organisations and companies in the fight against fraud.
NEFF 2007
Corruption and the damage it can do to the integrity of any business or organisation is the central theme of our agenda this year. Our annual conference is entitled, 'Corruption - One rotten Apple...' and we will be looking at the consequences and possible remedies for such problems. We will be looking closely at the main vulnerability of companies and agencies and what can be done to rectify it, focusing on the 'threat from within'.
We will examine issues such as data protection, theft of data and how the new Fraud Act may assist in this area. Property fraud is one such area and this will be another key subject for a Master Class.
Other areas of interest are how we can best protect those working in the Regulated Sector as per POCA. So we will look at the SAR's regime and how criminals are laundering their money.
We will also continue with the work we are doing with Local Authorities and local businesses through our Business Crime seminars which have proved to be very popular.
Raising awareness in the areas, of the implications for members of the Private Security Industry Act 2002, investigation skills, Fraud investigation, Financial Investigation and evidence handling will remain the thrust of the training programme for this year.
We are of course still open to suggestions and if any member has any concerns about one particular area or subject we are happy to facilitate the organisation of a dedicated Master Class.
Provide support for the formation of other Forums based on the NEFF model throughout the country and develop the National Federation of Fraud Forums.
Produce further training DVD’s on relevant fraud topics.
Continue to promote fraud awareness across the North East and country wide.
Continue to develop our partnerships with other organisations and companies in the fight against fraud.
Achievements
- Reduction of fraud-oriented crime in the region highlighted by a 32% decrease in business crime.
- Improved partnership working and better information sharing.
- Provision of best practice service to the region and throughout the country.
- Reduction of fraud-oriented crime sustained in 2004/5/6.
- Production of a NEFF 10-point plan to combat economic crime.
- Production of a NEFF 10-point plan to combat identity theft.
- The introduction of a very successful training programme.
- Development of 1-day bespoke training courses delivered here in the North East and across the country.
- Continued improvement of partnership working and information sharing.
- Establishment of other Fraud Forums countrywide based on the NEFF formula.
- Produced four training DVD's.
- Continued delivery of Conferences, Masterclasses and Seminars to our members and non-members alike.
Postal Address
North East Fraud Forum
c/o Economic Crime Unit
Market Street Police Station
Market Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6XA