Defrauding for fun not need

Fraud examiners have used the iconic Fraud Triangle, containing Dr. Donald Cressey's principles, for decades. However, the author contends that Cressey didn't necessarily develop his theories to explain behavior of those who don't have financial needs and are predisposed to committing fraud even before organizations hire them.

I've been involved in fraud examinations of all types for more than 20 years: general white-collar crimes, public corruption, wire and mail fraud and others. Throughout the years I've used the iconic Fraud Triangle too many times to count for discussions and demonstrations. Though I've discovered the illustration adequately explains many frauds, it doesn't explain all occupational fraud. I've worked a number of fraud cases that didn't fit neatly within the model because they involved subjects who didn't have financial need and often stole from the moment organizations hired them.

[See The Executive Fraud Triangle: The great 'I,' a Fraud Magazine "Special to the Web" feature, by Laura Downing, CFE, for another discussion on this subject. — ed.]