ACFE CFE - Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes (Certified Fraud Examiner - Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes) Practice Test 63

Question 620

Two separate review files raise different issues. File A: An inspector approves a bridge repair as meeting contract standards despite undisclosed material substitution. File B: A public program selects ineligible recipients after pressure from influential insiders and bypasses published scoring rules. Which pairing accurately classifies both files?

  1. File A: Substandard public works certification; File B: Double-charged public grant costs.
  2. File A: Politically directed benefit awards; File B: Substandard public works certification.
  3. File A: Substandard public works certification; File B: Politically directed benefit awards.
  4. File A: False government grant deliverables; File B: Politically directed benefit awards.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

File A is Substandard public works certification because taxpayer money pays for specifications that were not actually met, while File B is Politically directed benefit awards because misuse of discretionary public funds can favor connected parties over eligible beneficiaries. The evidence chains differ: for File A, reviewers should compare engineering test results, supplier records and acceptance approvals; for File B, they should compare application scoring and decision records with declared program requirements.

Incorrect Answers

A:

File B is misidentified as Double-charged public grant costs instead of Politically directed benefit awards. With the proposed pairing Substandard public works certification / Double-charged public grant costs, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that independent materials tests disagree with approved completion certificates, whereas File B shows that award outcomes diverge from documented eligibility criteria without defensible exceptions. For these Substandard public works certification and Politically directed benefit awards files, choosing the pair Substandard public works certification / Double-charged public grant costs would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

B:

File A is misidentified as Politically directed benefit awards instead of Substandard public works certification; File B is misidentified as Substandard public works certification instead of Politically directed benefit awards. With the proposed pairing Politically directed benefit awards / Substandard public works certification, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that independent materials tests disagree with approved completion certificates, whereas File B shows that award outcomes diverge from documented eligibility criteria without defensible exceptions. For these Substandard public works certification and Politically directed benefit awards files, choosing the pair Politically directed benefit awards / Substandard public works certification would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

D:

File A is misidentified as False government grant deliverables instead of Substandard public works certification. With the proposed pairing False government grant deliverables / Politically directed benefit awards, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that independent materials tests disagree with approved completion certificates, whereas File B shows that award outcomes diverge from documented eligibility criteria without defensible exceptions. For these Substandard public works certification and Politically directed benefit awards files, choosing the pair False government grant deliverables / Politically directed benefit awards would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

Question 621

The case file describes the following: An evaluator assigns inflated subjective scores to a preferred bidder in contradiction of the published evaluation criteria. Which classification best explains the events?

  1. Time-and-materials labor padding
  2. Sham subcontractor pass-through
  3. Unauthorized contract extension
  4. Collusive bid-evaluation scoring

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

Collusive bid-evaluation scoring fits the facts because manipulated evaluation changes the award outcome after bids arrive, unlike specification tailoring; the distinguishing observation is that scoring notes and objective evidence disagree while one bidder receives unexplained advantages. To test this interpretation, a reviewer should reperform score calculations and inspect evaluator conflicts and supporting notes.

Incorrect Answers

A:

Time-and-materials labor padding would involve a different sequence from Collusive bid-evaluation scoring: misstated labor grade or effort inflates reimbursable service cost after award. Unlike the rejected Time-and-materials labor padding label, the evidence concerns Collusive bid-evaluation scoring, since scoring notes and objective evidence disagree while one bidder receives unexplained advantages; reviewers should reperform score calculations and inspect evaluator conflicts and supporting notes.

B:

Sham subcontractor pass-through would involve a different sequence from Collusive bid-evaluation scoring: a dummy lower-tier supplier can hide unwarranted profit or diversion within contract costs. Unlike the rejected Sham subcontractor pass-through label, the evidence concerns Collusive bid-evaluation scoring, since scoring notes and objective evidence disagree while one bidder receives unexplained advantages; reviewers should reperform score calculations and inspect evaluator conflicts and supporting notes.

C:

Unauthorized contract extension would involve a different sequence from Collusive bid-evaluation scoring: improper continuation can give an incumbent business without the required competition. Unlike the rejected Unauthorized contract extension label, the evidence concerns Collusive bid-evaluation scoring, since scoring notes and objective evidence disagree while one bidder receives unexplained advantages; reviewers should reperform score calculations and inspect evaluator conflicts and supporting notes.

Question 622

The review team observes the following: Beneficiary ties and timing align with the award recommendation. It seeks one targeted detection step and one preventive measure that address the same underlying vulnerability. Which pairing is best?

  1. Diagnostic: Cross-check procurement decisions, vendor performance and unexplained employee benefits; safeguard: Screen intermediaries and beneficial owners for decision-maker connections.
  2. Diagnostic: Trace third-party payment flows and ownership while comparing award rationale; safeguard: Screen intermediaries and beneficial owners for decision-maker connections.
  3. Diagnostic: Trace third-party payment flows and ownership while comparing award rationale; safeguard: Rotate inspectors and independently verify high-risk acceptance decisions.
  4. Diagnostic: Compare certification dates with quality results and inspector-vendor relationships; safeguard: Restrict evaluation access and log conflicts, gifts and bidder communications.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

The test addresses Vendor-funded political favor by targeting this observation: Beneficiary ties and timing align with the award recommendation. The accompanying safeguard—screen intermediaries and beneficial owners for decision-maker connections—counters the same opportunity, so both checking and prevention concern one cause.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed safeguard is relevant to Vendor-funded political favor, but the diagnostic tests Supplier kickback for selection rather than the identified anomaly. That test is aimed at records involving the employee's private benefits track the contractor's paid invoice volume; the specified case instead calls for reviewers to trace third-party payment flows and ownership while comparing award rationale.

C:

The diagnostic correctly examines Vendor-funded political favor by having reviewers trace third-party payment flows and ownership while comparing award rationale, but the safeguard is for Bribe to overlook inspections. That prevention step responds to a different mechanism: A corrupt payment changes official judgment to allow nonconforming work.

D:

The evidence test relates to Bribe to overlook inspections, whereas the proposed safeguard protects against Conflict through confidential specifications; neither directly resolves Vendor-funded political favor. Unlike the Bribe to overlook inspections test and Conflict through confidential specifications safeguard, the investigation of Vendor-funded political favor requires reviewers to trace third-party payment flows and ownership while comparing award rationale, followed by assessment of the matching control point.

Question 623

For a review of ransomware file encryption, which evidence-based warning sign is the most specific?

  1. Credential stores are accessed by an untrusted process followed by remote logins.
  2. DNS answers point to unauthorized servers despite correct addresses typed by users.
  3. Large-scale file changes and ransom notes follow unusual endpoint execution.
  4. The login occurred on a lookalike domain immediately before suspicious account access.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

This observation is a pertinent indicator of Ransomware file encryption because ransomware denies access through malicious encryption and extortion, not primarily by changing invoice beneficiaries. The practical corroborating procedure is to review endpoint process trees and encryption events while preserving evidence; the indicator by itself does not establish intent or error.

Incorrect Answers

A:

The proposed observation fits Infostealer browser credential theft, where infostealers harvest authentication secrets for later impersonation and account abuse, rather than the particular mechanism in Ransomware file encryption. Unlike the clue for Infostealer browser credential theft, the more directly related indicator for Ransomware file encryption is this: Large-scale file changes and ransom notes follow unusual endpoint execution.

B:

The proposed observation fits Pharming through DNS manipulation, where pharming diverts site resolution without requiring victims to click a deceptive message link, rather than the particular mechanism in Ransomware file encryption. Unlike the clue for Pharming through DNS manipulation, the more directly related indicator for Ransomware file encryption is this: Large-scale file changes and ransom notes follow unusual endpoint execution.

D:

The proposed observation fits Spear-phishing credential capture, where targeted phishing collects credentials by masquerading as a trusted internal communication, rather than the particular mechanism in Ransomware file encryption. Unlike the clue for Spear-phishing credential capture, the more directly related indicator for Ransomware file encryption is this: Large-scale file changes and ransom notes follow unusual endpoint execution.

Question 624

Two separate review files raise different issues. File A: A clinic submits claims for consultations on days the listed patients were never seen. File B: A person uses another individual's insurance membership to obtain covered treatment. Which pairing accurately classifies both files?

  1. File A: Phantom patient encounters; File B: Unbundled procedure billing.
  2. File A: Phantom patient encounters; File B: Medical identity misuse.
  3. File A: Prescribing referral kickback; File B: Medical identity misuse.
  4. File A: Medical identity misuse; File B: Phantom patient encounters.
  5. File A: Medical identity misuse; File B: Prescribing referral kickback.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B:

File A is Phantom patient encounters because billing nonexistent visits extracts payment for services not rendered, while File B is Medical identity misuse because an unauthorized patient exploits a real person's insurance entitlement. The evidence chains differ: for File A, reviewers should match encounter claims to scheduling, patient attestations and clinical documentation; for File B, they should confirm patient identity and compare provider records with genuine insured-person statements.

Incorrect Answers

A:

File B is misidentified as Unbundled procedure billing instead of Medical identity misuse. With the proposed pairing Phantom patient encounters / Unbundled procedure billing, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that appointment, access and patient-confirmation records show no encounter, whereas File B shows that claims include care inconsistent with the member's verified history and identification. For these Phantom patient encounters and Medical identity misuse files, choosing the pair Phantom patient encounters / Unbundled procedure billing would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

C:

File A is misidentified as Prescribing referral kickback instead of Phantom patient encounters. With the proposed pairing Prescribing referral kickback / Medical identity misuse, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that appointment, access and patient-confirmation records show no encounter, whereas File B shows that claims include care inconsistent with the member's verified history and identification. For these Phantom patient encounters and Medical identity misuse 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 Medical identity misuse instead of Phantom patient encounters; File B is misidentified as Phantom patient encounters instead of Medical identity misuse. With the proposed pairing Medical identity misuse / Phantom patient encounters, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that appointment, access and patient-confirmation records show no encounter, whereas File B shows that claims include care inconsistent with the member's verified history and identification. For these Phantom patient encounters and Medical identity misuse files, choosing the pair Medical identity misuse / Phantom patient encounters would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

E:

File A is misidentified as Medical identity misuse instead of Phantom patient encounters; File B is misidentified as Prescribing referral kickback instead of Medical identity misuse. With the proposed pairing Medical identity misuse / Prescribing referral kickback, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that appointment, access and patient-confirmation records show no encounter, whereas File B shows that claims include care inconsistent with the member's verified history and identification. For these Phantom patient encounters and Medical identity misuse files, choosing the pair Medical identity misuse / Prescribing referral kickback would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

Question 625

An exception review involving recruitment-driven pyramid identifies the following: Compensation depends on enrollment fees and chain recruitment despite weak retail sales. Which evidence comparison most directly evaluates the facts?

  1. Analyze compensation flows and genuine external customer transactions.
  2. Review account authority, beneficiary connections and contemporaneous consent evidence.
  3. Trace cash sources for investor payouts and independently verify held assets.
  4. Check the claim using government contact channels obtained independently.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

For the Recruitment-driven pyramid concern, the procedure tests source evidence behind this observation: Compensation depends on enrollment fees and chain recruitment despite weak retail sales. This matters because recruitment dependence distinguishes a pyramid structure from ordinary retail distribution; independent corroboration is necessary before accepting any conclusion.

Incorrect Answers

B:

This comparison primarily addresses Elder caregiver financial exploitation, in which abuse of trust or access can divert assets from a vulnerable person without a public investment pitch; because the present question instead concerns Recruitment-driven pyramid, reviewers should analyze compensation flows and genuine external customer transactions rather than apply a check designed for Elder caregiver financial exploitation.

C:

This comparison primarily addresses Ponzi payout financing, in which a Ponzi structure pays old investors with new funds while misrepresenting actual returns; because the present question instead concerns Recruitment-driven pyramid, reviewers should analyze compensation flows and genuine external customer transactions rather than apply a check designed for Ponzi payout financing.

D:

This comparison primarily addresses Government-agent impersonation scam, in which authority impersonation exploits fear and urgency to make victims send funds; because the present question instead concerns Recruitment-driven pyramid, reviewers should analyze compensation flows and genuine external customer transactions rather than apply a check designed for Government-agent impersonation scam.

Question 626

The risk team has identified the following broker front-running client order exposure: Misusing confidential customer-order knowledge for personal gain creates market-abuse and conflict risks. Which proposed prevention step is most effective?

  1. Maintain insider-trading restrictions, preclearance and confidentiality controls.
  2. Apply documented ESG reporting controls and independent verification of material claims.
  3. Verify regulatory status and permitted functions of intermediaries before engagement.
  4. Enforce personal-trading controls and surveillance around sensitive customer orders.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

The control directly addresses the failure point in Broker front-running client order, since misusing confidential customer-order knowledge for personal gain creates market-abuse and conflict risks. A subsequent independent review could join employee transaction records with confidential order timestamps and market prices to identify exceptions that bypassed the safeguard.

Incorrect Answers

A:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Material nonpublic information trading rather than Broker front-running client order, because trading on material information not publicly available may breach insider-trading rules depending on the jurisdiction and duties involved. Unlike the control for Material nonpublic information trading, the more direct design for Broker front-running client order is to enforce personal-trading controls and surveillance around sensitive customer orders; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

B:

This safeguard is directed primarily at False sustainability disclosures rather than Broker front-running client order, because nonfinancial representations can deceive securities investors when inaccurate or unsupported. Unlike the control for False sustainability disclosures, the more direct design for Broker front-running client order is to enforce personal-trading controls and surveillance around sensitive customer orders; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

C:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Unregistered brokerage solicitation rather than Broker front-running client order, because securities-related compensation and solicitation can trigger registration obligations under relevant laws. Unlike the control for Unregistered brokerage solicitation, the more direct design for Broker front-running client order is to enforce personal-trading controls and surveillance around sensitive customer orders; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

Question 627

The case file describes the following: A licensing official threatens to withhold a valid permit unless the applicant makes a personal payment. Which classification best explains the events?

  1. Economic extortion demand
  2. Inflated charitable donation conduit
  3. Lavish hospitality influence
  4. Undisclosed supplier ownership

Explanation

Correct Answer

A:

Economic extortion demand fits the facts because extortion relies on coercive leverage over a decision or entitlement rather than a voluntary gratuity; the distinguishing observation is that the demanded benefit follows an explicit threat to deny a lawful service. To test this interpretation, a reviewer should preserve the demand trail and compare application status to statutory requirements.

Incorrect Answers

B:

Inflated charitable donation conduit would involve a different sequence from Economic extortion demand: an apparent donation may disguise a benefit routed to someone able to influence business. Unlike the rejected Inflated charitable donation conduit label, the evidence concerns Economic extortion demand, since the demanded benefit follows an explicit threat to deny a lawful service; reviewers should preserve the demand trail and compare application status to statutory requirements.

C:

Lavish hospitality influence would involve a different sequence from Economic extortion demand: material personal entertainment can influence purchasing discretion even without cash transfer. Unlike the rejected Lavish hospitality influence label, the evidence concerns Economic extortion demand, since the demanded benefit follows an explicit threat to deny a lawful service; reviewers should preserve the demand trail and compare application status to statutory requirements.

D:

Undisclosed supplier ownership would involve a different sequence from Economic extortion demand: a personal interest compromises objectivity even before a direct bribe is proven. Unlike the rejected Undisclosed supplier ownership label, the evidence concerns Economic extortion demand, since the demanded benefit follows an explicit threat to deny a lawful service; reviewers should preserve the demand trail and compare application status to statutory requirements.

Question 628

Two separate review files raise different issues. File A: Promoters spread invented success claims about a thinly traded share, sell into the price rise and abandon the market. File B: An issuer raises capital while omitting a material legal exposure from the offering disclosures. Which pairing accurately classifies both files?

  1. File A: Unsuitable securities recommendation; File B: Misleading offering prospectus.
  2. File A: Misleading offering prospectus; File B: Pump-and-dump stock promotion.
  3. File A: Material nonpublic information trading; File B: Pump-and-dump stock promotion.
  4. File A: Pump-and-dump stock promotion; File B: Material nonpublic information trading.
  5. File A: Pump-and-dump stock promotion; File B: Misleading offering prospectus.

Explanation

Correct Answer

E:

File A is Pump-and-dump stock promotion because false hype can induce investor purchases while manipulators unload inflated positions, while File B is Misleading offering prospectus because omission of decision-useful facts can mislead investors even where some published numbers are accurate. The evidence chains differ: for File A, reviewers should correlate promotional communications with trading accounts and beneficial ownership; for File B, they should compare offering statements with board records, counsel assessments and known liabilities.

Incorrect Answers

A:

File A is misidentified as Unsuitable securities recommendation instead of Pump-and-dump stock promotion. With the proposed pairing Unsuitable securities recommendation / Misleading offering prospectus, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that coordinated promotional bursts coincide with insider selling and extreme price reversals, whereas File B shows that internal legal memoranda identify major risks absent from investor materials. For these Pump-and-dump stock promotion and Misleading offering prospectus files, choosing the pair Unsuitable securities recommendation / Misleading offering prospectus would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

B:

File A is misidentified as Misleading offering prospectus instead of Pump-and-dump stock promotion; File B is misidentified as Pump-and-dump stock promotion instead of Misleading offering prospectus. With the proposed pairing Misleading offering prospectus / Pump-and-dump stock promotion, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that coordinated promotional bursts coincide with insider selling and extreme price reversals, whereas File B shows that internal legal memoranda identify major risks absent from investor materials. For these Pump-and-dump stock promotion and Misleading offering prospectus files, choosing the pair Misleading offering prospectus / Pump-and-dump stock promotion would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

C:

File A is misidentified as Material nonpublic information trading instead of Pump-and-dump stock promotion; File B is misidentified as Pump-and-dump stock promotion instead of Misleading offering prospectus. With the proposed pairing Material nonpublic information trading / Pump-and-dump stock promotion, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that coordinated promotional bursts coincide with insider selling and extreme price reversals, whereas File B shows that internal legal memoranda identify major risks absent from investor materials. For these Pump-and-dump stock promotion and Misleading offering prospectus files, choosing the pair Material nonpublic information trading / Pump-and-dump stock promotion would misdirect the review away from at least one of these mechanisms.

D:

File B is misidentified as Material nonpublic information trading instead of Misleading offering prospectus. With the proposed pairing Pump-and-dump stock promotion / Material nonpublic information trading, the distinction is substantive: File A shows that coordinated promotional bursts coincide with insider selling and extreme price reversals, whereas File B shows that internal legal memoranda identify major risks absent from investor materials. For these Pump-and-dump stock promotion and Misleading offering prospectus 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 629

A process owner is assessing safeguards for supplier kickback for selection. The mechanism is: A kickback rewards an official for steering organizational business rather than for legitimate services. Which control addresses it most directly?

  1. Rotate inspectors and independently verify high-risk acceptance decisions.
  2. Screen intermediaries and beneficial owners for decision-maker connections.
  3. Restrict evaluation access and log conflicts, gifts and bidder communications.
  4. Enforce independent sourcing approvals and disclose vendor-benefit relationships.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D:

The control directly addresses the failure point in Supplier kickback for selection, since a kickback rewards an official for steering organizational business rather than for legitimate services. A subsequent independent review could cross-check procurement decisions, vendor performance and unexplained employee benefits to identify exceptions that bypassed the safeguard.

Incorrect Answers

A:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Bribe to overlook inspections rather than Supplier kickback for selection, because a corrupt payment changes official judgment to allow nonconforming work. Unlike the control for Bribe to overlook inspections, the more direct design for Supplier kickback for selection is to enforce independent sourcing approvals and disclose vendor-benefit relationships; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

B:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Vendor-funded political favor rather than Supplier kickback for selection, because indirect benefits can constitute corruption when used to induce improper contract decisions. Unlike the control for Vendor-funded political favor, the more direct design for Supplier kickback for selection is to enforce independent sourcing approvals and disclose vendor-benefit relationships; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

C:

This safeguard is directed primarily at Conflict through confidential specifications rather than Supplier kickback for selection, because disclosure of privileged tender information trades an entrusted advantage for private benefit. Unlike the control for Conflict through confidential specifications, the more direct design for Supplier kickback for selection is to enforce independent sourcing approvals and disclose vendor-benefit relationships; a different safeguard cannot substitute for it.

Question 630

The team is assessing a potential trade over-invoicing discrepancy. Initial observation: Customs quantities and market pricing diverge sharply from declared invoice values. Which verification step is most informative?

  1. Trace the purchase funds, beneficial owner and later disposition proceeds.
  2. Reconcile trade invoices with shipping detail, customs declarations and market benchmarks.
  3. Compare bills of lading, pricing benchmarks and intercompany settlement flows.
  4. Compare reported cash sales with independent capacity, procurement and customer evidence.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C:

For the Trade over-invoicing concern, the procedure tests source evidence behind this observation: Customs quantities and market pricing diverge sharply from declared invoice values. This matters because inflated trade prices can transfer value across borders under cover of legitimate commerce; independent corroboration is necessary before accepting any conclusion.

Incorrect Answers

A:

This comparison primarily addresses Integration through luxury property, in which integration converts earlier illicit value into apparently lawful assets or proceeds; because the present question instead concerns Trade over-invoicing, reviewers should compare bills of lading, pricing benchmarks and intercompany settlement flows rather than apply a check designed for Integration through luxury property.

B:

This comparison primarily addresses Trade under-invoicing, in which underpricing can move economic value to an offshore counterparty through an ostensibly normal sale; because the present question instead concerns Trade over-invoicing, reviewers should compare bills of lading, pricing benchmarks and intercompany settlement flows rather than apply a check designed for Trade under-invoicing.

D:

This comparison primarily addresses Cash-intensive front business, in which fictitious sales provide a plausible bookkeeping story for introducing criminal cash; because the present question instead concerns Trade over-invoicing, reviewers should compare bills of lading, pricing benchmarks and intercompany settlement flows rather than apply a check designed for Cash-intensive front business.

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