ACFE CFE - Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes (Certified Fraud Examiner - Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes) Practice Test 60

Question 590

An exception review involving recorded-till cash larceny identifies the following: The register shows sales greater than the actual till count and deposit. Which evidence comparison most directly evaluates the facts?

  1. Match recorded tender totals with independent till counts and deposit slips.
  2. Compare bank credits with sealed-bag logs, deposit preparation and independent count records.
  3. Match donor confirmations and sealed-envelope counts against bank deposits.
  4. Recount the fund unexpectedly and inspect replenishment vouchers.
  5. Trace a sample of individual customer remittances through deposit and account-credit dates.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

For the Recorded-till cash larceny concern, the procedure tests source evidence behind this observation: The register shows sales greater than the actual till count and deposit. This matters because cash larceny steals receipts after they have been recorded, leaving a book-to-cash shortage; independent corroboration is necessary before accepting any conclusion.

Incorrect Answers

B:

This comparison primarily addresses Deposit-bag substitution, in which the removal occurs after recording and before funds reach the bank; because the present question instead concerns Recorded-till cash larceny, reviewers should match recorded tender totals with independent till counts and deposit slips rather than apply a check designed for Deposit-bag substitution.

C:

This comparison primarily addresses Charity donation skimming, in which a donation stolen before entry may leave no accounting shortage unless outside records are used; because the present question instead concerns Recorded-till cash larceny, reviewers should match recorded tender totals with independent till counts and deposit slips rather than apply a check designed for Charity donation skimming.

D:

This comparison primarily addresses Cash-safe theft, in which theft of cash on hand depletes a recorded fund without necessarily involving a sales transaction; because the present question instead concerns Recorded-till cash larceny, reviewers should match recorded tender totals with independent till counts and deposit slips rather than apply a check designed for Cash-safe theft.

E:

This comparison primarily addresses Receivable lapping, in which lapping rolls forward a shortage by applying one customer's payment to another account; because the present question instead concerns Recorded-till cash larceny, reviewers should match recorded tender totals with independent till counts and deposit slips rather than apply a check designed for Receivable lapping.

Question 591

The review team observes the following: Benefits rise immediately before procurement decisions involving the sponsor. It seeks one targeted detection step and one preventive measure that address the same underlying vulnerability. Which pairing is best?

  1. Diagnostic: Review contracts, service evidence and beneficial recipients of advisory fees; safeguard: Use transparent service criteria and protected independent complaint channels.
  2. Diagnostic: Compare gift registers, travel records and award dates for decision makers; safeguard: Set hospitality limits and require advance independent approval for high-risk recipients.
  3. Diagnostic: Compare gift registers, travel records and award dates for decision makers; safeguard: Require substantiated consultant work and anti-bribery diligence before payment.
  4. Diagnostic: Trace donation beneficiaries and governance to tender decisions and communications; safeguard: Set hospitality limits and require advance independent approval for high-risk recipients.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

The test addresses Lavish hospitality influence by targeting this observation: Benefits rise immediately before procurement decisions involving the sponsor. The accompanying safeguard—set hospitality limits and require advance independent approval for high-risk recipients—counters the same opportunity, so both checking and prevention concern one cause.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The evidence test relates to Sham consulting bribe, whereas the proposed safeguard protects against Economic extortion demand; neither directly resolves Lavish hospitality influence. Unlike the Sham consulting bribe test and Economic extortion demand safeguard, the investigation of Lavish hospitality influence requires reviewers to compare gift registers, travel records and award dates for decision makers, followed by assessment of the matching control point.

C:

The diagnostic correctly examines Lavish hospitality influence by having reviewers compare gift registers, travel records and award dates for decision makers, but the safeguard is for Sham consulting bribe. That prevention step responds to a different mechanism: A fake service agreement can launder a corrupt payment as a commercial expense.

D:

The proposed safeguard is relevant to Lavish hospitality influence, but the diagnostic tests Inflated charitable donation conduit rather than the identified anomaly. That test is aimed at records involving the charity's controllers and project decision makers overlap; the specified case instead calls for reviewers to compare gift registers, travel records and award dates for decision makers.

Question 592

The review team observes the following: Bank images identify a different beneficiary than the expense ledger suggests. It seeks one targeted detection step and one preventive measure that address the same underlying vulnerability. Which pairing is best?

  1. Diagnostic: Trace ledger entries and check numbers to cleared bank images and approvals; safeguard: Have a reviewer independent of disbursements compare payees and vouchers.
  2. Diagnostic: Compare signers and beneficiaries with employee conflict declarations and contracts; safeguard: Have a reviewer independent of disbursements compare payees and vouchers.
  3. Diagnostic: Trace ledger entries and check numbers to cleared bank images and approvals; safeguard: Verify account changes using independently sourced supplier contact details.
  4. Diagnostic: Compare beneficiary master-file history with verified supplier instructions and payment files; safeguard: Use secure positive pay with payee validation where supported.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

The test addresses Concealed check diversion by targeting this observation: Bank images identify a different beneficiary than the expense ledger suggests. The accompanying safeguard—have a reviewer independent of disbursements compare payees and vouchers—counters the same opportunity, so both checking and prevention concern one cause.

Incorrect Answers

B:

The proposed safeguard is relevant to Concealed check diversion, but the diagnostic tests Authorized-maker self-payment rather than the identified anomaly. That test is aimed at records involving payments to related beneficiaries lack independent authorization or economic support; the specified case instead calls for reviewers to trace ledger entries and check numbers to cleared bank images and approvals.

C:

The diagnostic correctly examines Concealed check diversion by having reviewers trace ledger entries and check numbers to cleared bank images and approvals, but the safeguard is for ACH beneficiary substitution. That prevention step responds to a different mechanism: The fraud redirects a genuine disbursement through altered settlement coordinates.

D:

The evidence test relates to ACH beneficiary substitution, whereas the proposed safeguard protects against Altered check payee; neither directly resolves Concealed check diversion. Unlike the ACH beneficiary substitution test and Altered check payee safeguard, the investigation of Concealed check diversion requires reviewers to trace ledger entries and check numbers to cleared bank images and approvals, followed by assessment of the matching control point.

Question 593

Two separate review files raise different issues. File A: A corporate officer purchases shares before an undisclosed positive earnings announcement based on confidential board papers. File B: Promoters spread invented success claims about a thinly traded share, sell into the price rise and abandon the market. Which pairing accurately classifies both files?

  1. File A: Broker front-running client order; File B: Material nonpublic information trading.
  2. File A: Material nonpublic information trading; File B: Pump-and-dump stock promotion.
  3. File A: Misleading offering prospectus; File B: Pump-and-dump stock promotion.
  4. File A: Material nonpublic information trading; File B: Broker front-running client order.
  5. File A: Pump-and-dump stock promotion; File B: Material nonpublic information trading.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

File A is Material nonpublic information trading because trading on material information not publicly available may breach insider-trading rules depending on the jurisdiction and duties involved, while File B is Pump-and-dump stock promotion because false hype can induce investor purchases while manipulators unload inflated positions. The evidence chains differ: for File A, reviewers should compare trading timestamps, information access and public-disclosure chronology; for File B, they should correlate promotional communications with trading accounts and beneficial ownership.

Incorrect Answers

A:

File A is misidentified as Broker front-running client order instead of Material nonpublic information trading; File B is misidentified as Material nonpublic information trading instead of Pump-and-dump stock promotion. With the proposed pairing Broker front-running client order / Material nonpublic information trading, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that trades by insiders closely precede market-moving news and differ from prior patterns, whereas File B shows that coordinated promotional bursts coincide with insider selling and extreme price reversals. For these Material nonpublic information trading and Pump-and-dump stock promotion files, choosing the pair Broker front-running client order / Material nonpublic information trading would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

C:

File A is misidentified as Misleading offering prospectus instead of Material nonpublic information trading. With the proposed pairing Misleading offering prospectus / Pump-and-dump stock promotion, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that trades by insiders closely precede market-moving news and differ from prior patterns, whereas File B shows that coordinated promotional bursts coincide with insider selling and extreme price reversals. For these Material nonpublic information trading and Pump-and-dump stock promotion files, choosing the pair Misleading offering prospectus / Pump-and-dump stock promotion would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

D:

File B is misidentified as Broker front-running client order instead of Pump-and-dump stock promotion. With the proposed pairing Material nonpublic information trading / Broker front-running client order, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that trades by insiders closely precede market-moving news and differ from prior patterns, whereas File B shows that coordinated promotional bursts coincide with insider selling and extreme price reversals. For these Material nonpublic information trading and Pump-and-dump stock promotion files, choosing the pair Material nonpublic information trading / Broker front-running client order would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

E:

File A is misidentified as Pump-and-dump stock promotion instead of Material nonpublic information trading; File B is misidentified as Material nonpublic information trading instead of Pump-and-dump stock promotion. With the proposed pairing Pump-and-dump stock promotion / Material nonpublic information trading, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that trades by insiders closely precede market-moving news and differ from prior patterns, whereas File B shows that coordinated promotional bursts coincide with insider selling and extreme price reversals. For these Material nonpublic information trading and Pump-and-dump stock promotion files, choosing the pair Pump-and-dump stock promotion / Material nonpublic information trading would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

Question 594

The review team observes the following: Payment recipients are new and contact details differ from the real relative's. It seeks one targeted detection step and one preventive measure that address the same underlying vulnerability. Which pairing is best?

  1. Diagnostic: Compare displayed QR destinations with merchant-controlled account records; safeguard: Educate users to verify urgent payment requests through known channels.
  2. Diagnostic: Link card funding source, load time, device identity and redemption trail; safeguard: Use risk-based customer authentication and fulfillment fraud screening.
  3. Diagnostic: Independently verify the claimed requester and review recipient-account history; safeguard: Monitor load velocity and impose appropriate risk controls on suspicious funding.
  4. Diagnostic: Independently verify the claimed requester and review recipient-account history; safeguard: Educate users to verify urgent payment requests through known channels.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

The test addresses Peer-to-peer payment impostor by targeting this observation: Payment recipients are new and contact details differ from the real relative's. The accompanying safeguard—educate users to verify urgent payment requests through known channels—counters the same opportunity, so both checking and prevention concern one cause.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed safeguard is relevant to Peer-to-peer payment impostor, but the diagnostic tests Fraudulent merchant QR redirect rather than the identified anomaly. That test is aimed at records involving customers' payment confirmations name a recipient unrelated to the merchant; the specified case instead calls for reviewers to independently verify the claimed requester and review recipient-account history.

B:

The evidence test relates to Prepaid card load-and-drain, whereas the proposed safeguard protects against Card-not-present shopping fraud; neither directly resolves Peer-to-peer payment impostor. Unlike the Prepaid card load-and-drain test and Card-not-present shopping fraud safeguard, the investigation of Peer-to-peer payment impostor requires reviewers to independently verify the claimed requester and review recipient-account history, followed by assessment of the matching control point.

C:

The diagnostic correctly examines Peer-to-peer payment impostor by having reviewers independently verify the claimed requester and review recipient-account history, but the safeguard is for Prepaid card load-and-drain. That prevention step responds to a different mechanism: Prepaid value can be used to convert unauthorized payments into quickly transferable balances.

Question 595

The organization wants to prevent false government grant deliverables. Its risk assessment describes: A grant recipient obtains public funds by falsely certifying eligible performance. What targeted safeguard should it prioritize?

  1. Publish objective criteria and require independent conflict-reviewed award decisions.
  2. Release grant tranches against independently verified deliverables.
  3. Cross-check emergency aid eligibility without eliminating rapid legitimate access.
  4. Require independent quality verification before public funds are released.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

The control directly addresses the failure point in False government grant deliverables, since a grant recipient obtains public funds by falsely certifying eligible performance. A subsequent independent review could confirm milestone completion with independent beneficiaries and time records to identify exceptions that bypassed the safeguard.

Incorrect Answers

A:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Politically directed benefit awards rather than False government grant deliverables, because misuse of discretionary public funds can favor connected parties over eligible beneficiaries. Unlike the control for Politically directed benefit awards, the more direct design for False government grant deliverables is to release grant tranches against independently verified deliverables; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

C:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Fictitious disaster relief business rather than False government grant deliverables, because crisis support can be abused through fictitious claimants and fabricated losses. Unlike the control for Fictitious disaster relief business, the more direct design for False government grant deliverables is to release grant tranches against independently verified deliverables; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

D:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Substandard public works certification rather than False government grant deliverables, because taxpayer money pays for specifications that were not actually met. Unlike the control for Substandard public works certification, the more direct design for False government grant deliverables is to release grant tranches against independently verified deliverables; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

Question 596

The monitoring team needs an observable indicator of misleading offering prospectus. Which signal aligns most closely with the risk?

  1. Coordinated promotional bursts coincide with insider selling and extreme price reversals.
  2. Internal legal memoranda identify major risks absent from investor materials.
  3. Recommendation rationale conflicts with the client's recorded objectives and liquidity requirements.
  4. Trades by insiders closely precede market-moving news and differ from prior patterns.
  5. Turnover and commission-to-equity ratios become excessive relative to client objectives.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

This observation is a pertinent indicator of Misleading offering prospectus because omission of decision-useful facts can mislead investors even where some published numbers are accurate. The practical corroborating procedure is to compare offering statements with board records, counsel assessments and known liabilities; the indicator by itself does not establish intent or error.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed observation fits Pump-and-dump stock promotion, where false hype can induce investor purchases while manipulators unload inflated positions, rather than the particular mechanism in Misleading offering prospectus. Unlike the clue for Pump-and-dump stock promotion, the more directly related indicator for Misleading offering prospectus is this: Internal legal memoranda identify major risks absent from investor materials.

C:

The proposed observation fits Unsuitable securities recommendation, where a sale can be improper because the recommendation does not match the customer's circumstances, not because the product itself is inherently unlawful, rather than the particular mechanism in Misleading offering prospectus. Unlike the clue for Unsuitable securities recommendation, the more directly related indicator for Misleading offering prospectus is this: Internal legal memoranda identify major risks absent from investor materials.

D:

The proposed observation fits Material nonpublic information trading, where trading on material information not publicly available may breach insider-trading rules depending on the jurisdiction and duties involved, rather than the particular mechanism in Misleading offering prospectus. Unlike the clue for Material nonpublic information trading, the more directly related indicator for Misleading offering prospectus is this: Internal legal memoranda identify major risks absent from investor materials.

E:

The proposed observation fits Excessive-account churning, where excessive trading for broker compensation can constitute churning when control and other relevant elements are present, rather than the particular mechanism in Misleading offering prospectus. Unlike the clue for Excessive-account churning, the more directly related indicator for Misleading offering prospectus is this: Internal legal memoranda identify major risks absent from investor materials.

Question 597

Two separate review files raise different issues. File A: An attacker alters approved electronic supplier payment instructions to send money to a new bank account. File B: A payables supervisor creates a fictitious vendor and submits invoices for services never delivered. Which pairing accurately classifies both files?

  1. File A: ACH beneficiary substitution; File B: Shell-company invoice billing.
  2. File A: Pass-through purchasing scheme; File B: Shell-company invoice billing.
  3. File A: Shell-company invoice billing; File B: ACH beneficiary substitution.
  4. File A: ACH beneficiary substitution; File B: Authorized-maker self-payment.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

File A is ACH beneficiary substitution because the fraud redirects a genuine disbursement through altered settlement coordinates, while File B is Shell-company invoice billing because a nonoperating entity receives organizational money against false billing support. The evidence chains differ: for File A, reviewers should compare beneficiary master-file history with verified supplier instructions and payment files; for File B, they should match vendor masters to employee details and verify actual service completion.

Incorrect Answers

B:

File A is misidentified as Pass-through purchasing scheme instead of ACH beneficiary substitution. With the proposed pairing Pass-through purchasing scheme / Shell-company invoice billing, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that recent bank-account changes precede transfers while invoices remain otherwise valid, whereas File B shows that vendor registration details overlap with employee contact and payment information. For these ACH beneficiary substitution and Shell-company invoice billing files, choosing the pair Pass-through purchasing scheme / Shell-company invoice billing would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

C:

File A is misidentified as Shell-company invoice billing instead of ACH beneficiary substitution; File B is misidentified as ACH beneficiary substitution instead of Shell-company invoice billing. With the proposed pairing Shell-company invoice billing / ACH beneficiary substitution, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that recent bank-account changes precede transfers while invoices remain otherwise valid, whereas File B shows that vendor registration details overlap with employee contact and payment information. For these ACH beneficiary substitution and Shell-company invoice billing files, choosing the pair Shell-company invoice billing / ACH beneficiary substitution would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

D:

File B is misidentified as Authorized-maker self-payment instead of Shell-company invoice billing. With the proposed pairing ACH beneficiary substitution / Authorized-maker self-payment, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that recent bank-account changes precede transfers while invoices remain otherwise valid, whereas File B shows that vendor registration details overlap with employee contact and payment information. For these ACH beneficiary substitution and Shell-company invoice billing files, choosing the pair ACH beneficiary substitution / Authorized-maker self-payment would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

Question 598

The team is assessing a potential cash-deposit structuring discrepancy. Initial observation: Closely timed deposits aggregate to an unusual total despite individual amounts being smaller. Which verification step is most informative?

  1. Trace source and destination of funds and the identity of ultimate recipients.
  2. Aggregate linked cash transactions by beneficial party, time and channel.
  3. Trace incoming and outgoing counterparties, timelines and the person's stated purpose.
  4. Build transaction-network maps and compare economic purpose with invoice evidence.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

For the Cash-deposit structuring concern, the procedure tests source evidence behind this observation: Closely timed deposits aggregate to an unusual total despite individual amounts being smaller. This matters because structuring intentionally fragments transactions to evade detection or reporting; the exact threshold is jurisdiction-dependent; independent corroboration is necessary before accepting any conclusion.

Incorrect Answers

A:

This comparison primarily addresses Terrorist-financing source distinction, in which terrorist financing can involve legitimately sourced money; destination and intended use are central concerns; because the present question instead concerns Cash-deposit structuring, reviewers should aggregate linked cash transactions by beneficial party, time and channel rather than apply a check designed for Terrorist-financing source distinction.

C:

This comparison primarily addresses Money-mule transfers, in which money mules help move proceeds while separating the originator from subsequent recipients; because the present question instead concerns Cash-deposit structuring, reviewers should aggregate linked cash transactions by beneficial party, time and channel rather than apply a check designed for Money-mule transfers.

D:

This comparison primarily addresses Layering through repeated wires, in which layering introduces transaction complexity to obscure the origin and control of funds; because the present question instead concerns Cash-deposit structuring, reviewers should aggregate linked cash transactions by beneficial party, time and channel rather than apply a check designed for Layering through repeated wires.

Question 599

An examination of time-and-materials labor padding begins with this observation: Site access and staffing records contradict skill grades and hours on invoices. Which follow-up procedure gives the most direct evidence?

  1. Review documented emergency grounds against prior planning and demand.
  2. Compare requirement drafts, market alternatives and supplier communications.
  3. Match billable labor classes and timesheets with actual personnel and work evidence.
  4. Compare amendments with original contract clauses, approval authority and renewal limits.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

For the Time-and-materials labor padding concern, the procedure tests source evidence behind this observation: Site access and staffing records contradict skill grades and hours on invoices. This matters because misstated labor grade or effort inflates reimbursable service cost after award; independent corroboration is necessary before accepting any conclusion.

Incorrect Answers

A:

This comparison primarily addresses Artificial urgency sole-source award, in which false urgency defeats normal competitive sourcing under an unjustified exception; because the present question instead concerns Time-and-materials labor padding, reviewers should match billable labor classes and timesheets with actual personnel and work evidence rather than apply a check designed for Artificial urgency sole-source award.

B:

This comparison primarily addresses Tender specifications tailored to one supplier, in which bid tailoring manipulates the solicitation before vendors compete; because the present question instead concerns Time-and-materials labor padding, reviewers should match billable labor classes and timesheets with actual personnel and work evidence rather than apply a check designed for Tender specifications tailored to one supplier.

D:

This comparison primarily addresses Unauthorized contract extension, in which improper continuation can give an incumbent business without the required competition; because the present question instead concerns Time-and-materials labor padding, reviewers should match billable labor classes and timesheets with actual personnel and work evidence rather than apply a check designed for Unauthorized contract extension.

Question 600

The review team observes the following: Employee master records have no HR file or manager confirmation but receive pay. It seeks one targeted detection step and one preventive measure that address the same underlying vulnerability. Which pairing is best?

  1. Diagnostic: Compare payroll overtime with access, shift and work-order evidence; safeguard: Segregate employee onboarding authorization from payroll master maintenance.
  2. Diagnostic: Reconcile commission calculations with final customer payments and returns; safeguard: Block payment variances until receiving discrepancies are resolved by independent staff.
  3. Diagnostic: Reconcile payroll to personnel files, attendance and independent headcount; safeguard: Segregate employee onboarding authorization from payroll master maintenance.
  4. Diagnostic: Reconcile payroll to personnel files, attendance and independent headcount; safeguard: Base commission eligibility on verified, sustained sale criteria.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

The test addresses Ghost payroll employee by targeting this observation: Employee master records have no HR file or manager confirmation but receive pay. The accompanying safeguard—segregate employee onboarding authorization from payroll master maintenance—counters the same opportunity, so both checking and prevention concern one cause.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed safeguard is relevant to Ghost payroll employee, but the diagnostic tests Falsified overtime payroll rather than the identified anomaly. That test is aimed at records involving clock records and access logs conflict with approved overtime hours; the specified case instead calls for reviewers to reconcile payroll to personnel files, attendance and independent headcount.

B:

The evidence test relates to Manipulated commission sales, whereas the proposed safeguard protects against Unreceived goods billing; neither directly resolves Ghost payroll employee. Unlike the Manipulated commission sales test and Unreceived goods billing safeguard, the investigation of Ghost payroll employee requires reviewers to reconcile payroll to personnel files, attendance and independent headcount, followed by assessment of the matching control point.

D:

The diagnostic correctly examines Ghost payroll employee by having reviewers reconcile payroll to personnel files, attendance and independent headcount, but the safeguard is for Manipulated commission sales. That prevention step responds to a different mechanism: Compensation is extracted through false performance metrics rather than fake employees.

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