ACFE CFE - Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes (Certified Fraud Examiner - Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes) Practice Test 120

Question 1190

The organization wants to prevent supplier-access data theft. Its risk assessment describes: Compromised or misused partner access can become a route for proprietary-data loss. What targeted safeguard should it prioritize?

  1. Separate privileged administration from data extraction approval and alert on large exports.
  2. Prohibit unauthorized photography and escort visitors in sensitive production areas.
  3. Use phishing-resistant authentication and validate external file requests.
  4. Limit code access by role and monitor unusual bulk downloads and external sharing.
  5. Time-limit vendor credentials and enforce scoped access with periodic recertification.

Explanation

Correct Answer

E:

The control directly addresses the failure point in Supplier-access data theft, since compromised or misused partner access can become a route for proprietary-data loss. A subsequent independent review could review vendor access entitlements, download activity and contract work scope to identify exceptions that bypassed the safeguard.

Incorrect Answers

A:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Privileged bulk data export rather than Supplier-access data theft, because excess technical privilege can permit insider misappropriation of valuable information. Unlike the control for Privileged bulk data export, the more direct design for Supplier-access data theft is to time-limit vendor credentials and enforce scoped access with periodic recertification; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

B:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Printed blueprint removal rather than Supplier-access data theft, because optical capture can remove trade secrets without any network download event. Unlike the control for Printed blueprint removal, the more direct design for Supplier-access data theft is to time-limit vendor credentials and enforce scoped access with periodic recertification; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

C:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Spear-phishing product drawings rather than Supplier-access data theft, because deceptive credential collection enables unauthorized access to proprietary engineering data. Unlike the control for Spear-phishing product drawings, the more direct design for Supplier-access data theft is to time-limit vendor credentials and enforce scoped access with periodic recertification; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

D:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Source-code repository exfiltration rather than Supplier-access data theft, because confidential software is removed through insider access, not obtained from public sources. Unlike the control for Source-code repository exfiltration, the more direct design for Supplier-access data theft is to time-limit vendor credentials and enforce scoped access with periodic recertification; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

Question 1191

An examination of inflated charitable donation conduit begins with this observation: The charity's controllers and project decision makers overlap. Which follow-up procedure gives the most direct evidence?

  1. Trace donation beneficiaries and governance to tender decisions and communications.
  2. Review contracts, service evidence and beneficial recipients of advisory fees.
  3. Compare hiring decisions, supplier influence and communications about procurement scoring.
  4. Compare gift registers, travel records and award dates for decision makers.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

For the Inflated charitable donation conduit concern, the procedure tests source evidence behind this observation: The charity's controllers and project decision makers overlap. This matters because an apparent donation may disguise a benefit routed to someone able to influence business; independent corroboration is necessary before accepting any conclusion.

Incorrect Answers

B:

This comparison primarily addresses Sham consulting bribe, in which a fake service agreement can launder a corrupt payment as a commercial expense; because the present question instead concerns Inflated charitable donation conduit, reviewers should trace donation beneficiaries and governance to tender decisions and communications rather than apply a check designed for Sham consulting bribe.

C:

This comparison primarily addresses Improper job-for-favor arrangement, in which noncash personal advantages can function as bribes when tied to official discretion; because the present question instead concerns Inflated charitable donation conduit, reviewers should trace donation beneficiaries and governance to tender decisions and communications rather than apply a check designed for Improper job-for-favor arrangement.

D:

This comparison primarily addresses Lavish hospitality influence, in which material personal entertainment can influence purchasing discretion even without cash transfer; because the present question instead concerns Inflated charitable donation conduit, reviewers should trace donation beneficiaries and governance to tender decisions and communications rather than apply a check designed for Lavish hospitality influence.

Question 1192

Two separate review files raise different issues. File A: A bidder funds a nonprofit controlled by a purchasing official shortly before contract award. File B: A vendor hires an official's acquaintance under a consulting contract with no credible deliverables. Which pairing accurately classifies both files?

  1. File A: Inflated charitable donation conduit; File B: Sham consulting bribe.
  2. File A: Sham consulting bribe; File B: Inflated charitable donation conduit.
  3. File A: Inflated charitable donation conduit; File B: Lavish hospitality influence.
  4. File A: Improper job-for-favor arrangement; File B: Sham consulting bribe.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

File A is Inflated charitable donation conduit because an apparent donation may disguise a benefit routed to someone able to influence business, while File B is Sham consulting bribe because a fake service agreement can launder a corrupt payment as a commercial expense. The evidence chains differ: for File A, reviewers should trace donation beneficiaries and governance to tender decisions and communications; for File B, they should review contracts, service evidence and beneficial recipients of advisory fees.

Incorrect Answers

B:

File A is misidentified as Sham consulting bribe instead of Inflated charitable donation conduit; File B is misidentified as Inflated charitable donation conduit instead of Sham consulting bribe. With the proposed pairing Sham consulting bribe / Inflated charitable donation conduit, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that the charity's controllers and project decision makers overlap, whereas File B shows that invoices for advice lack outputs and coincide with favorable official actions. For these Inflated charitable donation conduit and Sham consulting bribe files, choosing the pair Sham consulting bribe / Inflated charitable donation conduit would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

C:

File B is misidentified as Lavish hospitality influence instead of Sham consulting bribe. With the proposed pairing Inflated charitable donation conduit / Lavish hospitality influence, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that the charity's controllers and project decision makers overlap, whereas File B shows that invoices for advice lack outputs and coincide with favorable official actions. For these Inflated charitable donation conduit and Sham consulting bribe files, choosing the pair Inflated charitable donation conduit / Lavish hospitality influence would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

D:

File A is misidentified as Improper job-for-favor arrangement instead of Inflated charitable donation conduit. With the proposed pairing Improper job-for-favor arrangement / Sham consulting bribe, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that the charity's controllers and project decision makers overlap, whereas File B shows that invoices for advice lack outputs and coincide with favorable official actions. For these Inflated charitable donation conduit and Sham consulting bribe files, choosing the pair Improper job-for-favor arrangement / Sham consulting bribe would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

Question 1193

The case file describes the following: An adult opens long-term credit products using a minor's identifying information. Which classification best explains the events?

  1. SIM-swap account takeover
  2. Child identity misuse
  3. Stolen-personal-data loan
  4. Credential-stuffing identity abuse

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

Child identity misuse fits the facts because children's identifiers can be exploited because misuse may remain unnoticed for years; the distinguishing observation is that a credit history exists before the individual reaches normal borrowing age. To test this interpretation, a reviewer should compare date of birth and identity verification data with account origination records.

Incorrect Answers

A:

SIM-swap account takeover would involve a different sequence from Child identity misuse: control of a phone number can intercept recovery codes without ownership of the underlying account. Unlike the rejected SIM-swap account takeover label, the evidence concerns Child identity misuse, since a credit history exists before the individual reaches normal borrowing age; reviewers should compare date of birth and identity verification data with account origination records.

C:

Stolen-personal-data loan would involve a different sequence from Child identity misuse: an impersonator assumes a real victim's identity to obtain an unauthorized loan. Unlike the rejected Stolen-personal-data loan label, the evidence concerns Child identity misuse, since a credit history exists before the individual reaches normal borrowing age; reviewers should compare date of birth and identity verification data with account origination records.

D:

Credential-stuffing identity abuse would involve a different sequence from Child identity misuse: reused passwords let attackers impersonate customers through online credential abuse. Unlike the rejected Credential-stuffing identity abuse label, the evidence concerns Child identity misuse, since a credit history exists before the individual reaches normal borrowing age; reviewers should compare date of birth and identity verification data with account origination records.

Question 1194

An examination of financing cash-flow classification begins with this observation: Loan agreements and bank movements show changes in borrowed capital. Which follow-up procedure gives the most direct evidence?

  1. Recalculate the accounting equation and trace changes to equity transactions and results.
  2. Reconcile borrowing and principal-repayment transactions to financing cash flows.
  3. Trace fixed-asset additions and bank settlements to the investing section of the cash-flow statement.
  4. Match recorded sales and corresponding inventory costs before analyzing gross margin.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

For the Financing cash-flow classification concern, the procedure tests source evidence behind this observation: Loan agreements and bank movements show changes in borrowed capital. This matters because financing activities describe changes in funding from lenders and owners; classifications of interest can vary by accounting framework; independent corroboration is necessary before accepting any conclusion.

Incorrect Answers

A:

This comparison primarily addresses Equity reconciliation, in which equity is the residual interest in assets after deducting liabilities, not a bank balance or revenue figure; because the present question instead concerns Financing cash-flow classification, reviewers should reconcile borrowing and principal-repayment transactions to financing cash flows rather than apply a check designed for Equity reconciliation.

C:

This comparison primarily addresses Investing cash-flow classification, in which buying plant equipment is generally an investing cash outflow, not a routine operating payment; because the present question instead concerns Financing cash-flow classification, reviewers should reconcile borrowing and principal-repayment transactions to financing cash flows rather than apply a check designed for Investing cash-flow classification.

D:

This comparison primarily addresses Gross-profit calculation, in which gross profit isolates direct goods margin rather than the final earnings after all operating and other costs; because the present question instead concerns Financing cash-flow classification, reviewers should reconcile borrowing and principal-repayment transactions to financing cash flows rather than apply a check designed for Gross-profit calculation.

Question 1195

The case file describes the following: An adviser recommends a highly leveraged product to a client whose documented profile indicates low risk tolerance and near-term cash needs. Which classification best explains the events?

  1. Excessive-account churning
  2. False sustainability disclosures
  3. Unsuitable securities recommendation
  4. Misleading offering prospectus

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

Unsuitable securities recommendation fits the facts because a sale can be improper because the recommendation does not match the customer's circumstances, not because the product itself is inherently unlawful; the distinguishing observation is that recommendation rationale conflicts with the client's recorded objectives and liquidity requirements. To test this interpretation, a reviewer should compare recommended product risk with the suitability and client-knowledge records.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Excessive-account churning would involve a different sequence from Unsuitable securities recommendation: excessive trading for broker compensation can constitute churning when control and other relevant elements are present. Unlike the rejected Excessive-account churning label, the evidence concerns Unsuitable securities recommendation, since recommendation rationale conflicts with the client's recorded objectives and liquidity requirements; reviewers should compare recommended product risk with the suitability and client-knowledge records.

B:

False sustainability disclosures would involve a different sequence from Unsuitable securities recommendation: nonfinancial representations can deceive securities investors when inaccurate or unsupported. Unlike the rejected False sustainability disclosures label, the evidence concerns Unsuitable securities recommendation, since recommendation rationale conflicts with the client's recorded objectives and liquidity requirements; reviewers should compare recommended product risk with the suitability and client-knowledge records.

D:

Misleading offering prospectus would involve a different sequence from Unsuitable securities recommendation: omission of decision-useful facts can mislead investors even where some published numbers are accurate. Unlike the rejected Misleading offering prospectus label, the evidence concerns Unsuitable securities recommendation, since recommendation rationale conflicts with the client's recorded objectives and liquidity requirements; reviewers should compare recommended product risk with the suitability and client-knowledge records.

Question 1196

The case file describes the following: A criminal uses a captured online-banking session to initiate transfers from a genuine customer's account. Which classification best explains the events?

  1. Fraudulent new bank account
  2. Insider customer-account embezzlement
  3. Financial-account takeover
  4. Falsified borrower income

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

Financial-account takeover fits the facts because the account is legitimate but control of its credentials or session has been stolen; the distinguishing observation is that new device sessions and unfamiliar recipients appear without the customer's authorization. To test this interpretation, a reviewer should correlate session identifiers, device changes and outbound wire instructions.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Fraudulent new bank account would involve a different sequence from Financial-account takeover: the newly created account is established under false identity to receive or move illicit proceeds. Unlike the rejected Fraudulent new bank account label, the evidence concerns Financial-account takeover, since new device sessions and unfamiliar recipients appear without the customer's authorization; reviewers should correlate session identifiers, device changes and outbound wire instructions.

B:

Insider customer-account embezzlement would involve a different sequence from Financial-account takeover: an insider exploits entrusted bank access to misappropriate depositor funds. Unlike the rejected Insider customer-account embezzlement label, the evidence concerns Financial-account takeover, since new device sessions and unfamiliar recipients appear without the customer's authorization; reviewers should correlate session identifiers, device changes and outbound wire instructions.

D:

Falsified borrower income would involve a different sequence from Financial-account takeover: borrower misrepresentation distorts credit assessment even before any default. Unlike the rejected Falsified borrower income label, the evidence concerns Financial-account takeover, since new device sessions and unfamiliar recipients appear without the customer's authorization; reviewers should correlate session identifiers, device changes and outbound wire instructions.

Question 1197

The monitoring team needs an observable indicator of artificial urgency sole-source award. Which signal aligns most closely with the risk?

  1. Site access and staffing records contradict skill grades and hours on invoices.
  2. Winners rotate predictably among a stable bidder group despite changing cost conditions.
  3. Planning records show sufficient lead time and no genuine critical shortage.
  4. Specifications mirror one vendor catalog while alternatives meet the operational need.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

This observation is a pertinent indicator of Artificial urgency sole-source award because false urgency defeats normal competitive sourcing under an unjustified exception. The practical corroborating procedure is to review documented emergency grounds against prior planning and demand; the indicator by itself does not establish intent or error.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed observation fits Time-and-materials labor padding, where misstated labor grade or effort inflates reimbursable service cost after award, rather than the particular mechanism in Artificial urgency sole-source award. Unlike the clue for Time-and-materials labor padding, the more directly related indicator for Artificial urgency sole-source award is this: Planning records show sufficient lead time and no genuine critical shortage.

B:

The proposed observation fits Bid rotation agreement, where bid rotation is an agreement to allocate wins rather than genuine independent competition, rather than the particular mechanism in Artificial urgency sole-source award. Unlike the clue for Bid rotation agreement, the more directly related indicator for Artificial urgency sole-source award is this: Planning records show sufficient lead time and no genuine critical shortage.

D:

The proposed observation fits Tender specifications tailored to one supplier, where bid tailoring manipulates the solicitation before vendors compete, rather than the particular mechanism in Artificial urgency sole-source award. Unlike the clue for Tender specifications tailored to one supplier, the more directly related indicator for Artificial urgency sole-source award is this: Planning records show sufficient lead time and no genuine critical shortage.

Question 1198

Two separate review files raise different issues. File A: A clinician receives hidden compensation for directing prescriptions to one pharmacy irrespective of patient need. File B: A provider certifies that expensive equipment is medically required when records show no qualifying condition. Which pairing accurately classifies both files?

  1. File A: Medical service upcoding; File B: False medical necessity certification.
  2. File A: Prescribing referral kickback; File B: False medical necessity certification.
  3. File A: Prescribing referral kickback; File B: Medical identity misuse.
  4. File A: False medical necessity certification; File B: Prescribing referral kickback.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

File A is Prescribing referral kickback because financial inducements can corrupt medical decisions even when treatment is actually delivered, while File B is False medical necessity certification because claims fraud can arise from false eligibility or necessity rather than nonexistent delivery. The evidence chains differ: for File A, reviewers should compare referral patterns with payment ties and clinical appropriateness; for File B, they should review medical records and criteria supporting prescribed devices.

Incorrect Answers

A:

File A is misidentified as Medical service upcoding instead of Prescribing referral kickback. With the proposed pairing Medical service upcoding / False medical necessity certification, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that referral volumes coincide with unexplained consulting payments from the pharmacy, whereas File B shows that repeated medical-necessity forms use boilerplate unsupported by examinations. For these Prescribing referral kickback and False medical necessity certification files, choosing the pair Medical service upcoding / False medical necessity certification would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

C:

File B is misidentified as Medical identity misuse instead of False medical necessity certification. With the proposed pairing Prescribing referral kickback / Medical identity misuse, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that referral volumes coincide with unexplained consulting payments from the pharmacy, whereas File B shows that repeated medical-necessity forms use boilerplate unsupported by examinations. For these Prescribing referral kickback and False medical necessity certification files, choosing the pair Prescribing referral kickback / Medical identity misuse would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

D:

File A is misidentified as False medical necessity certification instead of Prescribing referral kickback; File B is misidentified as Prescribing referral kickback instead of False medical necessity certification. With the proposed pairing False medical necessity certification / Prescribing referral kickback, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that referral volumes coincide with unexplained consulting payments from the pharmacy, whereas File B shows that repeated medical-necessity forms use boilerplate unsupported by examinations. For these Prescribing referral kickback and False medical necessity certification files, choosing the pair False medical necessity certification / Prescribing referral kickback would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

Question 1199

The review team observes the following: Authentic-looking emails originate from an altered thread and route funds to a new account. It seeks one targeted detection step and one preventive measure that address the same underlying vulnerability. Which pairing is best?

  1. Diagnostic: Verify beneficiary changes independently and inspect message headers and login records; safeguard: Require callback verification for payment instruction changes regardless of email familiarity.
  2. Diagnostic: Analyze terminal traces and transaction authentication logs for relay characteristics; safeguard: Monitor load velocity and impose appropriate risk controls on suspicious funding.
  3. Diagnostic: Match debit mandates with customer consents and originating entity identifiers; safeguard: Require callback verification for payment instruction changes regardless of email familiarity.
  4. Diagnostic: Verify beneficiary changes independently and inspect message headers and login records; safeguard: Apply applicable contactless transaction protections and device anomaly monitoring.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

The test addresses Business email payment diversion by targeting this observation: Authentic-looking emails originate from an altered thread and route funds to a new account. The accompanying safeguard—require callback verification for payment instruction changes regardless of email familiarity—counters the same opportunity, so both checking and prevention concern one cause.

Incorrect Answers

B:

The evidence test relates to Contactless payment relay, whereas the proposed safeguard protects against Prepaid card load-and-drain; neither directly resolves Business email payment diversion. Unlike the Contactless payment relay test and Prepaid card load-and-drain safeguard, the investigation of Business email payment diversion requires reviewers to verify beneficiary changes independently and inspect message headers and login records, followed by assessment of the matching control point.

C:

The proposed safeguard is relevant to Business email payment diversion, but the diagnostic tests Unauthorized ACH debit rather than the identified anomaly. That test is aimed at records involving debit originators lack customer authorization evidence and generate return disputes; the specified case instead calls for reviewers to verify beneficiary changes independently and inspect message headers and login records.

D:

The diagnostic correctly examines Business email payment diversion by having reviewers verify beneficiary changes independently and inspect message headers and login records, but the safeguard is for Contactless payment relay. That prevention step responds to a different mechanism: Relay attacks extend a credential's communication path rather than physically duplicating the card.

Question 1200

An analyst is selecting warning signs for layering through repeated wires. Which recorded pattern should receive focused attention?

  1. Closely timed deposits aggregate to an unusual total despite individual amounts being smaller.
  2. Purchase funding traces to opaque entities without plausible commercial income.
  3. Funds enter and leave a personal account within hours with little economic explanation.
  4. Circular transfers and closely offsetting wires involve related counterparties.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

This observation is a pertinent indicator of Layering through repeated wires because layering introduces transaction complexity to obscure the origin and control of funds. The practical corroborating procedure is to build transaction-network maps and compare economic purpose with invoice evidence; the indicator by itself does not establish intent or error.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed observation fits Cash-deposit structuring, where structuring intentionally fragments transactions to evade detection or reporting; the exact threshold is jurisdiction-dependent, rather than the particular mechanism in Layering through repeated wires. Unlike the clue for Cash-deposit structuring, the more directly related indicator for Layering through repeated wires is this: Circular transfers and closely offsetting wires involve related counterparties.

B:

The proposed observation fits Integration through luxury property, where integration converts earlier illicit value into apparently lawful assets or proceeds, rather than the particular mechanism in Layering through repeated wires. Unlike the clue for Integration through luxury property, the more directly related indicator for Layering through repeated wires is this: Circular transfers and closely offsetting wires involve related counterparties.

C:

The proposed observation fits Money-mule transfers, where money mules help move proceeds while separating the originator from subsequent recipients, rather than the particular mechanism in Layering through repeated wires. Unlike the clue for Money-mule transfers, the more directly related indicator for Layering through repeated wires is this: Circular transfers and closely offsetting wires involve related counterparties.

Certified Fraud Examiner - Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes (CFE - Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes) Practice Tests