ACFE CFE - Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes (Certified Fraud Examiner - Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes) Practice Test 33

Question 320

The case file describes the following: A bank employee transfers money from a dormant customer account to an account under personal control. Which classification best explains the events?

  1. Financial-account takeover
  2. Fraudulent new bank account
  3. Loan-stacking applications
  4. Insider customer-account embezzlement

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

Insider customer-account embezzlement fits the facts because an insider exploits entrusted bank access to misappropriate depositor funds; the distinguishing observation is that dormant-account access and transfers are concentrated under one staff identifier. To test this interpretation, a reviewer should review dormant-account transactions, access logs and beneficiary links.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Financial-account takeover would involve a different sequence from Insider customer-account embezzlement: the account is legitimate but control of its credentials or session has been stolen. Unlike the rejected Financial-account takeover label, the evidence concerns Insider customer-account embezzlement, since dormant-account access and transfers are concentrated under one staff identifier; reviewers should review dormant-account transactions, access logs and beneficiary links.

B:

Fraudulent new bank account would involve a different sequence from Insider customer-account embezzlement: 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 Insider customer-account embezzlement, since dormant-account access and transfers are concentrated under one staff identifier; reviewers should review dormant-account transactions, access logs and beneficiary links.

C:

Loan-stacking applications would involve a different sequence from Insider customer-account embezzlement: hidden parallel borrowing makes the applicant's repayment capacity appear stronger than it is. Unlike the rejected Loan-stacking applications label, the evidence concerns Insider customer-account embezzlement, since dormant-account access and transfers are concentrated under one staff identifier; reviewers should review dormant-account transactions, access logs and beneficiary links.

Question 321

For a review of child identity misuse, which evidence-based warning sign is the most specific?

  1. High-volume authentication attempts show common automation signatures and reused credentials.
  2. Phone-service interruption immediately precedes password resets and account logins.
  3. The real person denies the application despite matching submitted personal data.
  4. A credit history exists before the individual reaches normal borrowing age.
  5. Identity attributes do not reliably resolve to one genuine person across independent sources.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

This observation is a pertinent indicator of Child identity misuse because children's identifiers can be exploited because misuse may remain unnoticed for years. The practical corroborating procedure is to compare date of birth and identity verification data with account origination records; the indicator by itself does not establish intent or error.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed observation fits Credential-stuffing identity abuse, where reused passwords let attackers impersonate customers through online credential abuse, rather than the particular mechanism in Child identity misuse. Unlike the clue for Credential-stuffing identity abuse, the more directly related indicator for Child identity misuse is this: A credit history exists before the individual reaches normal borrowing age.

B:

The proposed observation fits SIM-swap account takeover, where control of a phone number can intercept recovery codes without ownership of the underlying account, rather than the particular mechanism in Child identity misuse. Unlike the clue for SIM-swap account takeover, the more directly related indicator for Child identity misuse is this: A credit history exists before the individual reaches normal borrowing age.

C:

The proposed observation fits Stolen-personal-data loan, where an impersonator assumes a real victim's identity to obtain an unauthorized loan, rather than the particular mechanism in Child identity misuse. Unlike the clue for Stolen-personal-data loan, the more directly related indicator for Child identity misuse is this: A credit history exists before the individual reaches normal borrowing age.

E:

The proposed observation fits Synthetic identity borrowing, where a synthetic identity blends genuine and invented attributes rather than simply impersonating one full real identity, rather than the particular mechanism in Child identity misuse. Unlike the clue for Synthetic identity borrowing, the more directly related indicator for Child identity misuse is this: A credit history exists before the individual reaches normal borrowing age.

Question 322

Two separate review files raise different issues. File A: A cashier records a legitimate cash sale and later removes banknotes from the drawer before reconciliation. File B: A supervisor prepares a documented daily deposit but removes part of the cash before the courier collects the sealed bag. Which pairing accurately classifies both files?

  1. File A: Deposit-bag substitution; File B: Recorded-till cash larceny.
  2. File A: Recorded-till cash larceny; File B: Receivable lapping.
  3. File A: Cash-safe theft; File B: Deposit-bag substitution.
  4. File A: Recorded-till cash larceny; File B: Deposit-bag substitution.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

File A is Recorded-till cash larceny because cash larceny steals receipts after they have been recorded, leaving a book-to-cash shortage, while File B is Deposit-bag substitution because the removal occurs after recording and before funds reach the bank. The evidence chains differ: for File A, reviewers should match recorded tender totals with independent till counts and deposit slips; for File B, they should compare bank credits with sealed-bag logs, deposit preparation and independent count records.

Incorrect Answers

A:

File A is misidentified as Deposit-bag substitution instead of Recorded-till cash larceny; File B is misidentified as Recorded-till cash larceny instead of Deposit-bag substitution. With the proposed pairing Deposit-bag substitution / Recorded-till cash larceny, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that the register shows sales greater than the actual till count and deposit, whereas File B shows that deposit documentation and bank-confirmed credits disagree despite correct till totals. For these Recorded-till cash larceny and Deposit-bag substitution files, choosing the pair Deposit-bag substitution / Recorded-till cash larceny would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

B:

File B is misidentified as Receivable lapping instead of Deposit-bag substitution. With the proposed pairing Recorded-till cash larceny / Receivable lapping, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that the register shows sales greater than the actual till count and deposit, whereas File B shows that deposit documentation and bank-confirmed credits disagree despite correct till totals. For these Recorded-till cash larceny and Deposit-bag substitution files, choosing the pair Recorded-till cash larceny / Receivable lapping would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

C:

File A is misidentified as Cash-safe theft instead of Recorded-till cash larceny. With the proposed pairing Cash-safe theft / Deposit-bag substitution, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that the register shows sales greater than the actual till count and deposit, whereas File B shows that deposit documentation and bank-confirmed credits disagree despite correct till totals. For these Recorded-till cash larceny and Deposit-bag substitution files, choosing the pair Cash-safe theft / Deposit-bag substitution would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

Question 323

The case file describes the following: Cash is physically moved across borders in concealed packages instead of through traceable transfers. Which classification best explains the events?

  1. Virtual-asset layering
  2. Stored-value card conversion
  3. Cash-intensive front business
  4. Bulk currency courier

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

Bulk currency courier fits the facts because physical transportation can shift criminal cash between jurisdictions outside routine bank wires; the distinguishing observation is that travel or shipment patterns and declared funds conflict with observed currency movements. To test this interpretation, a reviewer should trace travel logistics, border declarations and linked currency seizures.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Virtual-asset layering would involve a different sequence from Bulk currency courier: multiple on-chain transfers can complicate attribution but do not automatically erase transaction history. Unlike the rejected Virtual-asset layering label, the evidence concerns Bulk currency courier, since travel or shipment patterns and declared funds conflict with observed currency movements; reviewers should trace travel logistics, border declarations and linked currency seizures.

B:

Stored-value card conversion would involve a different sequence from Bulk currency courier: stored-value instruments can move purchasing power while distancing it from original cash. Unlike the rejected Stored-value card conversion label, the evidence concerns Bulk currency courier, since travel or shipment patterns and declared funds conflict with observed currency movements; reviewers should trace travel logistics, border declarations and linked currency seizures.

C:

Cash-intensive front business would involve a different sequence from Bulk currency courier: fictitious sales provide a plausible bookkeeping story for introducing criminal cash. Unlike the rejected Cash-intensive front business label, the evidence concerns Bulk currency courier, since travel or shipment patterns and declared funds conflict with observed currency movements; reviewers should trace travel logistics, border declarations and linked currency seizures.

Question 324

The monitoring team needs an observable indicator of liquidation versus reorganization. Which signal aligns most closely with the risk?

  1. Purchases accelerate before filing while sale proceeds are diverted.
  2. Asset disposals require documented authority and accounting to the court or creditors.
  3. Customer confirmations and creditor support contradict filed values.
  4. A credible operating plan exists and management proposes a going-concern recovery.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

This observation is a pertinent indicator of Liquidation versus reorganization because reorganization aims to preserve or restructure the enterprise; liquidation ordinarily realizes assets for distribution. The practical corroborating procedure is to compare the proposed plan with liquidity forecasts and creditor treatment; the indicator by itself does not establish intent or error.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed observation fits Bankruptcy bust-out credit buying, where a planned bust-out extracts value from vendors through deliberate nonpayment and asset diversion, rather than the particular mechanism in Liquidation versus reorganization. Unlike the clue for Bankruptcy bust-out credit buying, the more directly related indicator for Liquidation versus reorganization is this: A credible operating plan exists and management proposes a going-concern recovery.

B:

The proposed observation fits Trustee and receiver accountability, where a trustee or receiver acts within a defined legal appointment to administer assets, not as an unrestricted owner, rather than the particular mechanism in Liquidation versus reorganization. Unlike the clue for Trustee and receiver accountability, the more directly related indicator for Liquidation versus reorganization is this: A credible operating plan exists and management proposes a going-concern recovery.

C:

The proposed observation fits False insolvency schedules, where false asset and debt statements distort the administration of the insolvency estate, rather than the particular mechanism in Liquidation versus reorganization. Unlike the clue for False insolvency schedules, the more directly related indicator for Liquidation versus reorganization is this: A credible operating plan exists and management proposes a going-concern recovery.

Question 325

An analyst is selecting warning signs for undisclosed supplier ownership. Which recorded pattern should receive focused attention?

  1. The employee's private benefits track the contractor's paid invoice volume.
  2. Inspection sign-offs conflict with independent engineering tests and financial transfers.
  3. The demanded benefit follows an explicit threat to deny a lawful service.
  4. Ownership records and related-party links are absent from conflict declarations.
  5. Benefits rise immediately before procurement decisions involving the sponsor.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

This observation is a pertinent indicator of Undisclosed supplier ownership because a personal interest compromises objectivity even before a direct bribe is proven. The practical corroborating procedure is to map beneficial owners and family relationships against employee procurement influence; the indicator by itself does not establish intent or error.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed observation fits Supplier kickback for selection, where a kickback rewards an official for steering organizational business rather than for legitimate services, rather than the particular mechanism in Undisclosed supplier ownership. Unlike the clue for Supplier kickback for selection, the more directly related indicator for Undisclosed supplier ownership is this: Ownership records and related-party links are absent from conflict declarations.

B:

The proposed observation fits Bribe to overlook inspections, where a corrupt payment changes official judgment to allow nonconforming work, rather than the particular mechanism in Undisclosed supplier ownership. Unlike the clue for Bribe to overlook inspections, the more directly related indicator for Undisclosed supplier ownership is this: Ownership records and related-party links are absent from conflict declarations.

C:

The proposed observation fits Economic extortion demand, where extortion relies on coercive leverage over a decision or entitlement rather than a voluntary gratuity, rather than the particular mechanism in Undisclosed supplier ownership. Unlike the clue for Economic extortion demand, the more directly related indicator for Undisclosed supplier ownership is this: Ownership records and related-party links are absent from conflict declarations.

E:

The proposed observation fits Lavish hospitality influence, where material personal entertainment can influence purchasing discretion even without cash transfer, rather than the particular mechanism in Undisclosed supplier ownership. Unlike the clue for Lavish hospitality influence, the more directly related indicator for Undisclosed supplier ownership is this: Ownership records and related-party links are absent from conflict declarations.

Question 326

Control designers are focusing on the mechanism behind ghost payroll employee: A fabricated employee record turns ordinary payroll into an unauthorized disbursement. Which measure best limits that opportunity?

  1. Apply authorization thresholds to combined requirements, not artificial invoice fragments.
  2. Segregate employee onboarding authorization from payroll master maintenance.
  3. Block payment variances until receiving discrepancies are resolved by independent staff.
  4. Require independent time approval backed by verified work records.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

The control directly addresses the failure point in Ghost payroll employee, since a fabricated employee record turns ordinary payroll into an unauthorized disbursement. A subsequent independent review could reconcile payroll to personnel files, attendance and independent headcount to identify exceptions that bypassed the safeguard.

Incorrect Answers

A:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Split procurement invoices rather than Ghost payroll employee, because splitting evades approval controls that would apply to the whole purchase. Unlike the control for Split procurement invoices, the more direct design for Ghost payroll employee is to segregate employee onboarding authorization from payroll master maintenance; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

C:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Unreceived goods billing rather than Ghost payroll employee, because the payer is charged for goods that were never delivered or accepted. Unlike the control for Unreceived goods billing, the more direct design for Ghost payroll employee is to segregate employee onboarding authorization from payroll master maintenance; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

D:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Falsified overtime payroll rather than Ghost payroll employee, because false hours increase payments to real employees without corresponding services. Unlike the control for Falsified overtime payroll, the more direct design for Ghost payroll employee is to segregate employee onboarding authorization from payroll master maintenance; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

Question 327

The review team observes the following: Beneficiary forms fail signature or authentication checks and appear near claim filing. It seeks one targeted detection step and one preventive measure that address the same underlying vulnerability. Which pairing is best?

  1. Diagnostic: Compare crash records, medical claims and links among participants; safeguard: Require authenticated beneficiary changes and independent confirmation of high-risk amendments.
  2. Diagnostic: Compare billed work with physical inspection and supplier purchase records; safeguard: Use inter-insurer fraud sharing and duplicate-loss checks under privacy rules.
  3. Diagnostic: Review policy change history, consent evidence and beneficiary identities; safeguard: Require authenticated beneficiary changes and independent confirmation of high-risk amendments.
  4. Diagnostic: Review policy change history, consent evidence and beneficiary identities; safeguard: Use independent repair validation and cost benchmarks.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

The test addresses Fictitious beneficiary change by targeting this observation: Beneficiary forms fail signature or authentication checks and appear near claim filing. The accompanying safeguard—require authenticated beneficiary changes and independent confirmation of high-risk amendments—counters the same opportunity, so both checking and prevention concern one cause.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed safeguard is relevant to Fictitious beneficiary change, but the diagnostic tests Staged vehicle collision claim rather than the identified anomaly. That test is aimed at records involving prior relationships and repeated accident participants conflict with an apparently spontaneous crash; the specified case instead calls for reviewers to review policy change history, consent evidence and beneficiary identities.

B:

The evidence test relates to Inflated auto repair estimate, whereas the proposed safeguard protects against Duplicate casualty claims; neither directly resolves Fictitious beneficiary change. Unlike the Inflated auto repair estimate test and Duplicate casualty claims safeguard, the investigation of Fictitious beneficiary change requires reviewers to review policy change history, consent evidence and beneficiary identities, followed by assessment of the matching control point.

D:

The diagnostic correctly examines Fictitious beneficiary change by having reviewers review policy change history, consent evidence and beneficiary identities, but the safeguard is for Inflated auto repair estimate. That prevention step responds to a different mechanism: A real covered loss is enlarged through fictitious repair costs.

Question 328

The monitoring team needs an observable indicator of opaque beneficial-ownership layers. Which signal aligns most closely with the risk?

  1. Payments and settlement records do not resemble ordinary end-to-end bank transfers.
  2. A documented pattern raises a reasonable suspicion even though proof of an offense is incomplete.
  3. Nominal directors cannot explain operations and ownership trails end in opaque nominees.
  4. Repeated card purchases and redemptions are connected across nominally unrelated buyers.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

This observation is a pertinent indicator of Opaque beneficial-ownership layers because legal-entity layers can conceal who controls funds and defeat superficial name-only screening. The practical corroborating procedure is to follow control and ownership links to natural persons using reliable independent evidence; the indicator by itself does not establish intent or error.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed observation fits Alternative remittance settlement, where value transfer can occur through broker-ledgers and net settlements, whether legitimate or abused, rather than the particular mechanism in Opaque beneficial-ownership layers. Unlike the clue for Alternative remittance settlement, the more directly related indicator for Opaque beneficial-ownership layers is this: Nominal directors cannot explain operations and ownership trails end in opaque nominees.

B:

The proposed observation fits Suspicious-activity reporting decision, where a SAR or STR is a suspicion-based regulatory tool; examiners need not prove criminal guilt before considering it, rather than the particular mechanism in Opaque beneficial-ownership layers. Unlike the clue for Suspicious-activity reporting decision, the more directly related indicator for Opaque beneficial-ownership layers is this: Nominal directors cannot explain operations and ownership trails end in opaque nominees.

D:

The proposed observation fits Stored-value card conversion, where stored-value instruments can move purchasing power while distancing it from original cash, rather than the particular mechanism in Opaque beneficial-ownership layers. Unlike the clue for Stored-value card conversion, the more directly related indicator for Opaque beneficial-ownership layers is this: Nominal directors cannot explain operations and ownership trails end in opaque nominees.

Question 329

Two separate review files raise different issues. File A: A site inspector receives money to certify substandard construction work as compliant. File B: A procurement officer helps award contracts to a firm secretly owned by the officer's sibling. Which pairing accurately classifies both files?

  1. File A: Bribe to overlook inspections; File B: Undisclosed supplier ownership.
  2. File A: Economic extortion demand; File B: Undisclosed supplier ownership.
  3. File A: Undisclosed supplier ownership; File B: Bribe to overlook inspections.
  4. File A: Bribe to overlook inspections; File B: Supplier kickback for selection.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

File A is Bribe to overlook inspections because a corrupt payment changes official judgment to allow nonconforming work, while File B is Undisclosed supplier ownership because a personal interest compromises objectivity even before a direct bribe is proven. The evidence chains differ: for File A, reviewers should compare certification dates with quality results and inspector-vendor relationships; for File B, they should map beneficial owners and family relationships against employee procurement influence.

Incorrect Answers

B:

File A is misidentified as Economic extortion demand instead of Bribe to overlook inspections. With the proposed pairing Economic extortion demand / Undisclosed supplier ownership, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that inspection sign-offs conflict with independent engineering tests and financial transfers, whereas File B shows that ownership records and related-party links are absent from conflict declarations. For these Bribe to overlook inspections and Undisclosed supplier ownership files, choosing the pair Economic extortion demand / Undisclosed supplier ownership would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

C:

File A is misidentified as Undisclosed supplier ownership instead of Bribe to overlook inspections; File B is misidentified as Bribe to overlook inspections instead of Undisclosed supplier ownership. With the proposed pairing Undisclosed supplier ownership / Bribe to overlook inspections, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that inspection sign-offs conflict with independent engineering tests and financial transfers, whereas File B shows that ownership records and related-party links are absent from conflict declarations. For these Bribe to overlook inspections and Undisclosed supplier ownership files, choosing the pair Undisclosed supplier ownership / Bribe to overlook inspections would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

D:

File B is misidentified as Supplier kickback for selection instead of Undisclosed supplier ownership. With the proposed pairing Bribe to overlook inspections / Supplier kickback for selection, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that inspection sign-offs conflict with independent engineering tests and financial transfers, whereas File B shows that ownership records and related-party links are absent from conflict declarations. For these Bribe to overlook inspections and Undisclosed supplier ownership files, choosing the pair Bribe to overlook inspections / Supplier kickback for selection would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

Question 330

Reviewers flag a possible chip-card shimming issue. Their preliminary finding is: Compromised-card activity clusters at a terminal with an unexpected insert in the reader slot. Which test would best confirm or refute the concern?

  1. Inspect card-reader slots and correlate card compromise with device servicing logs.
  2. Independently verify the claimed requester and review recipient-account history.
  3. Correlate order devices, fulfillment addresses, authorization results and cardholder complaints.
  4. Compare compromised-card common points of purchase and inspect terminals for overlays.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

For the Chip-card shimming concern, the procedure tests source evidence behind this observation: Compromised-card activity clusters at a terminal with an unexpected insert in the reader slot. This matters because a shim targets information in the chip-card interface; chip transaction data alone does not necessarily permit cloning a valid chip; independent corroboration is necessary before accepting any conclusion.

Incorrect Answers

B:

This comparison primarily addresses Peer-to-peer payment impostor, in which the victim may authorize the transfer under deception rather than lose funds through stolen credentials; because the present question instead concerns Chip-card shimming, reviewers should inspect card-reader slots and correlate card compromise with device servicing logs rather than apply a check designed for Peer-to-peer payment impostor.

C:

This comparison primarily addresses Card-not-present shopping fraud, in which remote payment misuse exploits card credentials without requiring face-to-face card presentation; because the present question instead concerns Chip-card shimming, reviewers should inspect card-reader slots and correlate card compromise with device servicing logs rather than apply a check designed for Card-not-present shopping fraud.

D:

This comparison primarily addresses Magnetic-stripe card skimming, in which skimmers capture card data at a physical payment interface for later unauthorized use; because the present question instead concerns Chip-card shimming, reviewers should inspect card-reader slots and correlate card compromise with device servicing logs rather than apply a check designed for Magnetic-stripe card skimming.

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