ACFE CFE - Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes (Certified Fraud Examiner - Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes) Practice Test 38

Question 370

The review team observes the following: Funding, occupancy and beneficial control point to a party other than the borrower of record. It seeks one targeted detection step and one preventive measure that address the same underlying vulnerability. Which pairing is best?

  1. Diagnostic: Trace down payments and property-control arrangements to the actual beneficiary; safeguard: Perform beneficial-borrower due diligence and verify source of down payment.
  2. Diagnostic: Check updated credit-bureau information and simultaneous application patterns; safeguard: Verify occupancy representations and review high-risk investment-property indicators.
  3. Diagnostic: Trace down payments and property-control arrangements to the actual beneficiary; safeguard: Reverify debt exposure at funding and monitor rapid multi-lender borrowing.
  4. Diagnostic: Independently review valuation methods, comparable sales and appraiser relationships; safeguard: Perform beneficial-borrower due diligence and verify source of down payment.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

The test addresses Mortgage straw-buyer scheme by targeting this observation: Funding, occupancy and beneficial control point to a party other than the borrower of record. The accompanying safeguard—perform beneficial-borrower due diligence and verify source of down payment—counters the same opportunity, so both checking and prevention concern one cause.

Incorrect Answers

B:

The evidence test relates to Loan-stacking applications, whereas the proposed safeguard protects against Occupancy-misrepresented mortgage; neither directly resolves Mortgage straw-buyer scheme. Unlike the Loan-stacking applications test and Occupancy-misrepresented mortgage safeguard, the investigation of Mortgage straw-buyer scheme requires reviewers to trace down payments and property-control arrangements to the actual beneficiary, followed by assessment of the matching control point.

C:

The diagnostic correctly examines Mortgage straw-buyer scheme by having reviewers trace down payments and property-control arrangements to the actual beneficiary, but the safeguard is for Loan-stacking applications. That prevention step responds to a different mechanism: Hidden parallel borrowing makes the applicant's repayment capacity appear stronger than it is.

D:

The proposed safeguard is relevant to Mortgage straw-buyer scheme, but the diagnostic tests Inflated real estate appraisal rather than the identified anomaly. That test is aimed at records involving appraisal assumptions diverge from nearby verified comparable transactions; the specified case instead calls for reviewers to trace down payments and property-control arrangements to the actual beneficiary.

Question 371

An analyst is selecting warning signs for phantom patient encounters. Which recorded pattern should receive focused attention?

  1. Claim lines repeatedly contain component codes that belong to a bundled service.
  2. Clinical notes support lower-intensity care than the codes billed.
  3. Appointment, access and patient-confirmation records show no encounter.
  4. Claims include care inconsistent with the member's verified history and identification.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

This observation is a pertinent indicator of Phantom patient encounters because billing nonexistent visits extracts payment for services not rendered. The practical corroborating procedure is to match encounter claims to scheduling, patient attestations and clinical documentation; the indicator by itself does not establish intent or error.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed observation fits Unbundled procedure billing, where splitting a bundled service into extra claim lines can produce unjustified reimbursement, rather than the particular mechanism in Phantom patient encounters. Unlike the clue for Unbundled procedure billing, the more directly related indicator for Phantom patient encounters is this: Appointment, access and patient-confirmation records show no encounter.

B:

The proposed observation fits Medical service upcoding, where upcoding inflates payment by assigning a code for a more expensive service than was delivered, rather than the particular mechanism in Phantom patient encounters. Unlike the clue for Medical service upcoding, the more directly related indicator for Phantom patient encounters is this: Appointment, access and patient-confirmation records show no encounter.

D:

The proposed observation fits Medical identity misuse, where an unauthorized patient exploits a real person's insurance entitlement, rather than the particular mechanism in Phantom patient encounters. Unlike the clue for Medical identity misuse, the more directly related indicator for Phantom patient encounters is this: Appointment, access and patient-confirmation records show no encounter.

Question 372

The available records suggest credential-stuffing identity abuse: High-volume authentication attempts show common automation signatures and reused credentials. Which TWO actions together provide one direct check and one targeted preventive measure? Choose TWO.

  1. Use multifactor authentication and automated attack throttling with credential hygiene.
  2. Review failed-login patterns, device fingerprints and successful account access.
  3. Apply robust liveness checks with additional risk-based identity verification.
  4. Phone-service interruption immediately precedes password resets and account logins.
  5. Compare reported URLs and capture artifacts with official government portals.

Explanation

Correct Answers

A:

This safeguard directly reduces Credential-stuffing identity abuse exposure because reused passwords let attackers impersonate customers through online credential abuse. The control should be monitored using records from this check: Review failed-login patterns, device fingerprints and successful account access.

B:

This procedure verifies the records implicated by Credential-stuffing identity abuse; the observed anomaly is that high-volume authentication attempts show common automation signatures and reused credentials. For the Credential-stuffing identity abuse concern, it can distinguish errors and innocent explanations from possible misstatements or wrongdoing before reaching a conclusion.

Incorrect Answers

C:

The chosen preventive action chiefly mitigates Deepfake onboarding deception, where synthetic audiovisual media can defeat naive identity checks without involving a genuine person. For Credential-stuffing identity abuse, unlike Deepfake onboarding deception, the targeted safeguard is to use multifactor authentication and automated attack throttling with credential hygiene because the exposure occurs at a different point.

D:

The listed warning sign specifically concerns SIM-swap account takeover, where control of a phone number can intercept recovery codes without ownership of the underlying account, not the requested Credential-stuffing identity abuse review. Unlike the SIM-swap account takeover indicator, the relevant signal for Credential-stuffing identity abuse is this: High-volume authentication attempts show common automation signatures and reused credentials.

E:

This procedure tests Phishing identity-document collection rather than the named Credential-stuffing identity abuse concern. The Phishing identity-document collection evidence is lookalike website records and user complaints connect to identity-document uploads, while the Credential-stuffing identity abuse path requires reviewers to review failed-login patterns, device fingerprints and successful account access.

Question 373

An exception review involving forged check-maker signature identifies the following: Disputed check signatures and check stock usage do not match approvals. Which evidence comparison most directly evaluates the facts?

  1. Analyze override rates by operator, customer, item and shift.
  2. Compare approved payee records with front and back images of paid checks.
  3. Compare cleared check endorsements with vendor confirmations and depositary data.
  4. Inspect paid check images, signing authority and voucher support.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

For the Forged check-maker signature concern, the procedure tests source evidence behind this observation: Disputed check signatures and check stock usage do not match approvals. This matters because the perpetrator creates a payment instrument without the genuine drawer authorization; independent corroboration is necessary before accepting any conclusion.

Incorrect Answers

A:

This comparison primarily addresses Collusive price markdown, in which sale-price manipulation improperly transfers value to an accomplice through undercharging; because the present question instead concerns Forged check-maker signature, reviewers should inspect paid check images, signing authority and voucher support rather than apply a check designed for Collusive price markdown.

B:

This comparison primarily addresses Altered check payee, in which an otherwise authorized check is redirected by changing who can receive the proceeds; because the present question instead concerns Forged check-maker signature, reviewers should inspect paid check images, signing authority and voucher support rather than apply a check designed for Altered check payee.

C:

This comparison primarily addresses Forged check endorsement, in which the authorized check is diverted at the endorsement stage, not created by a false invoice; because the present question instead concerns Forged check-maker signature, reviewers should inspect paid check images, signing authority and voucher support rather than apply a check designed for Forged check endorsement.

Question 374

The case file describes the following: A manager orders unneeded specialized equipment from a connected vendor despite usable equipment already available. Which classification best explains the events?

  1. Contractor cost mischarging
  2. Post-award change-order inflation
  3. Invented procurement need
  4. Split purchases to evade tender threshold

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

Invented procurement need fits the facts because procurement fraud can begin before bids when a false organizational need is created; the distinguishing observation is that demand forecasts and asset utilization records contradict the justification. To test this interpretation, a reviewer should compare proposed purchase needs with inventory, utilization and operational plans.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Contractor cost mischarging would involve a different sequence from Invented procurement need: miscoding expenses shifts ineligible work costs onto the purchasing agency. Unlike the rejected Contractor cost mischarging label, the evidence concerns Invented procurement need, since demand forecasts and asset utilization records contradict the justification; reviewers should compare proposed purchase needs with inventory, utilization and operational plans.

B:

Post-award change-order inflation would involve a different sequence from Invented procurement need: post-award modifications can recoup an artificially low bid or extract excessive payments. Unlike the rejected Post-award change-order inflation label, the evidence concerns Invented procurement need, since demand forecasts and asset utilization records contradict the justification; reviewers should compare proposed purchase needs with inventory, utilization and operational plans.

D:

Split purchases to evade tender threshold would involve a different sequence from Invented procurement need: fragmentation bypasses a competitive procedure that would apply to the full requirement. Unlike the rejected Split purchases to evade tender threshold label, the evidence concerns Invented procurement need, since demand forecasts and asset utilization records contradict the justification; reviewers should compare proposed purchase needs with inventory, utilization and operational plans.

Question 375

The case file describes the following: An insurance agent accepts premiums from clients but does not remit them to the carrier. Which classification best explains the events?

  1. Workers compensation malingering
  2. Concealed preexisting condition
  3. Intentional property fire claim
  4. Insurance premium diversion

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

Insurance premium diversion fits the facts because the intermediary misappropriates premium cash without necessarily creating a false claim; the distinguishing observation is that policyholders have receipts while insurer records show lapse or nonpayment. To test this interpretation, a reviewer should confirm payments with customers and compare carrier remittance and policy status.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Workers compensation malingering would involve a different sequence from Insurance premium diversion: misstated disability status can sustain benefits inconsistent with actual capacity. Unlike the rejected Workers compensation malingering label, the evidence concerns Insurance premium diversion, since policyholders have receipts while insurer records show lapse or nonpayment; reviewers should confirm payments with customers and compare carrier remittance and policy status.

B:

Concealed preexisting condition would involve a different sequence from Insurance premium diversion: material misrepresentation at policy inception differs from fabricating a later insured loss. Unlike the rejected Concealed preexisting condition label, the evidence concerns Insurance premium diversion, since policyholders have receipts while insurer records show lapse or nonpayment; reviewers should confirm payments with customers and compare carrier remittance and policy status.

C:

Intentional property fire claim would involve a different sequence from Insurance premium diversion: deliberate creation of a loss may defeat coverage and constitutes a different risk from accidental damage. Unlike the rejected Intentional property fire claim label, the evidence concerns Insurance premium diversion, since policyholders have receipts while insurer records show lapse or nonpayment; reviewers should confirm payments with customers and compare carrier remittance and policy status.

Question 376

The review team observes the following: Phone-service interruption immediately precedes password resets and account logins. It seeks one targeted detection step and one preventive measure that address the same underlying vulnerability. Which pairing is best?

  1. Diagnostic: Correlate telecom SIM-change records with account recovery and transaction history; safeguard: Avoid relying solely on SMS authentication for high-risk recovery and payments.
  2. Diagnostic: Review failed-login patterns, device fingerprints and successful account access; safeguard: Avoid relying solely on SMS authentication for high-risk recovery and payments.
  3. Diagnostic: Correlate telecom SIM-change records with account recovery and transaction history; safeguard: Apply robust liveness checks with additional risk-based identity verification.
  4. Diagnostic: Inspect liveness testing results and compare trusted identity references; safeguard: Use age-aware verification and secure dependent identity records.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

The test addresses SIM-swap account takeover by targeting this observation: Phone-service interruption immediately precedes password resets and account logins. The accompanying safeguard—avoid relying solely on SMS authentication for high-risk recovery and payments—counters the same opportunity, so both checking and prevention concern one cause.

Incorrect Answers

B:

The proposed safeguard is relevant to SIM-swap account takeover, but the diagnostic tests Credential-stuffing identity abuse rather than the identified anomaly. That test is aimed at records involving high-volume authentication attempts show common automation signatures and reused credentials; the specified case instead calls for reviewers to correlate telecom SIM-change records with account recovery and transaction history.

C:

The diagnostic correctly examines SIM-swap account takeover by having reviewers correlate telecom SIM-change records with account recovery and transaction history, but the safeguard is for Deepfake onboarding deception. That prevention step responds to a different mechanism: Synthetic audiovisual media can defeat naive identity checks without involving a genuine person.

D:

The evidence test relates to Deepfake onboarding deception, whereas the proposed safeguard protects against Child identity misuse; neither directly resolves SIM-swap account takeover. Unlike the Deepfake onboarding deception test and Child identity misuse safeguard, the investigation of SIM-swap account takeover requires reviewers to correlate telecom SIM-change records with account recovery and transaction history, followed by assessment of the matching control point.

Question 377

A reviewer wants to distinguish recorded-till cash larceny from adjacent risk patterns. Which observation is the most diagnostic indicator?

  1. The payer has a receipt while the customer account remains open or is adjusted unusually.
  2. Deposit documentation and bank-confirmed credits disagree despite correct till totals.
  3. The register shows sales greater than the actual till count and deposit.
  4. Credits are posted repeatedly to the wrong customer or with shifting dates.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

This observation is a pertinent indicator of Recorded-till cash larceny because cash larceny steals receipts after they have been recorded, leaving a book-to-cash shortage. The practical corroborating procedure is to match recorded tender totals with independent till counts and deposit slips; the indicator by itself does not establish intent or error.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed observation fits Accounts-receivable skimming, where the employee captures incoming funds and conceals the missing credit to the customer's balance, rather than the particular mechanism in Recorded-till cash larceny. Unlike the clue for Accounts-receivable skimming, the more directly related indicator for Recorded-till cash larceny is this: The register shows sales greater than the actual till count and deposit.

B:

The proposed observation fits Deposit-bag substitution, where the removal occurs after recording and before funds reach the bank, rather than the particular mechanism in Recorded-till cash larceny. Unlike the clue for Deposit-bag substitution, the more directly related indicator for Recorded-till cash larceny is this: The register shows sales greater than the actual till count and deposit.

D:

The proposed observation fits Receivable lapping, where lapping rolls forward a shortage by applying one customer's payment to another account, rather than the particular mechanism in Recorded-till cash larceny. Unlike the clue for Receivable lapping, the more directly related indicator for Recorded-till cash larceny is this: The register shows sales greater than the actual till count and deposit.

Question 378

For a review of virtual-asset layering, which evidence-based warning sign is the most specific?

  1. Repeated card purchases and redemptions are connected across nominally unrelated buyers.
  2. Deposits and claimed revenue greatly exceed footfall, staffing and operating capacity.
  3. Blockchain flows show rapid hops among intermediary addresses before exchange cash-out.
  4. Travel or shipment patterns and declared funds conflict with observed currency movements.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

This observation is a pertinent indicator of Virtual-asset layering because multiple on-chain transfers can complicate attribution but do not automatically erase transaction history. The practical corroborating procedure is to use chain analytics with exchange records and verified wallet attribution; the indicator by itself does not establish intent or error.

Incorrect Answers

A:

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 Virtual-asset layering. Unlike the clue for Stored-value card conversion, the more directly related indicator for Virtual-asset layering is this: Blockchain flows show rapid hops among intermediary addresses before exchange cash-out.

B:

The proposed observation fits Cash-intensive front business, where fictitious sales provide a plausible bookkeeping story for introducing criminal cash, rather than the particular mechanism in Virtual-asset layering. Unlike the clue for Cash-intensive front business, the more directly related indicator for Virtual-asset layering is this: Blockchain flows show rapid hops among intermediary addresses before exchange cash-out.

D:

The proposed observation fits Bulk currency courier, where physical transportation can shift criminal cash between jurisdictions outside routine bank wires, rather than the particular mechanism in Virtual-asset layering. Unlike the clue for Bulk currency courier, the more directly related indicator for Virtual-asset layering is this: Blockchain flows show rapid hops among intermediary addresses before exchange cash-out.

Question 379

Two separate review files raise different issues. File A: An insider changes an employee's bank account in the payroll master without authorization. File B: A coordinator keeps former staff active in payroll and redirects subsequent salary deposits. Which pairing accurately classifies both files?

  1. File A: Payroll direct-deposit diversion; File B: Terminated worker retained on payroll.
  2. File A: Terminated worker retained on payroll; File B: Payroll direct-deposit diversion.
  3. File A: Unauthorized bonus disbursement; File B: Terminated worker retained on payroll.
  4. File A: Payroll direct-deposit diversion; File B: Manipulated commission sales.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

File A is Payroll direct-deposit diversion because a genuine employee's wages are redirected by altering settlement data, while File B is Terminated worker retained on payroll because continuing pay to a departed employee produces a disbursement with no current employment basis. The evidence chains differ: for File A, reviewers should inspect change logs and independently confirm altered deposit instructions with workers; for File B, they should compare termination events and exit records to pay runs and account beneficiaries.

Incorrect Answers

B:

File A is misidentified as Terminated worker retained on payroll instead of Payroll direct-deposit diversion; File B is misidentified as Payroll direct-deposit diversion instead of Terminated worker retained on payroll. With the proposed pairing Terminated worker retained on payroll / Payroll direct-deposit diversion, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that bank-detail changes immediately precede pay to unfamiliar accounts, whereas File B shows that payments continue after recorded termination dates in the HR system. For these Payroll direct-deposit diversion and Terminated worker retained on payroll files, choosing the pair Terminated worker retained on payroll / Payroll direct-deposit diversion would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

C:

File A is misidentified as Unauthorized bonus disbursement instead of Payroll direct-deposit diversion. With the proposed pairing Unauthorized bonus disbursement / Terminated worker retained on payroll, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that bank-detail changes immediately precede pay to unfamiliar accounts, whereas File B shows that payments continue after recorded termination dates in the HR system. For these Payroll direct-deposit diversion and Terminated worker retained on payroll files, choosing the pair Unauthorized bonus disbursement / Terminated worker retained on payroll would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

D:

File B is misidentified as Manipulated commission sales instead of Terminated worker retained on payroll. With the proposed pairing Payroll direct-deposit diversion / Manipulated commission sales, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that bank-detail changes immediately precede pay to unfamiliar accounts, whereas File B shows that payments continue after recorded termination dates in the HR system. For these Payroll direct-deposit diversion and Terminated worker retained on payroll files, choosing the pair Payroll direct-deposit diversion / Manipulated commission sales would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

Question 380

The case file describes the following: An applicant combines a real identification number with fabricated personal details to build a false credit profile. Which classification best explains the events?

  1. Stolen-personal-data loan
  2. Identity-based tax refund diversion
  3. Child identity misuse
  4. Synthetic identity borrowing

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

Synthetic identity borrowing fits the facts because a synthetic identity blends genuine and invented attributes rather than simply impersonating one full real identity; the distinguishing observation is that identity attributes do not reliably resolve to one genuine person across independent sources. To test this interpretation, a reviewer should cross-validate identity attributes and account histories using reliable independent records.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Stolen-personal-data loan would involve a different sequence from Synthetic identity borrowing: an impersonator assumes a real victim's identity to obtain an unauthorized loan. Unlike the rejected Stolen-personal-data loan label, the evidence concerns Synthetic identity borrowing, since identity attributes do not reliably resolve to one genuine person across independent sources; reviewers should cross-validate identity attributes and account histories using reliable independent records.

B:

Identity-based tax refund diversion would involve a different sequence from Synthetic identity borrowing: the scheme monetizes stolen taxpayer identity through a fraudulent government refund claim. Unlike the rejected Identity-based tax refund diversion label, the evidence concerns Synthetic identity borrowing, since identity attributes do not reliably resolve to one genuine person across independent sources; reviewers should cross-validate identity attributes and account histories using reliable independent records.

C:

Child identity misuse would involve a different sequence from Synthetic identity borrowing: children's identifiers can be exploited because misuse may remain unnoticed for years. Unlike the rejected Child identity misuse label, the evidence concerns Synthetic identity borrowing, since identity attributes do not reliably resolve to one genuine person across independent sources; reviewers should cross-validate identity attributes and account histories using reliable independent records.

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