Inspector Jonathan Ferris B.A., M.A. (Theology) Melit, Dip. Rel.
Std., Dip. Policing Inspector Jonathan Ferris B.A., M.A. (Theology)
Melit, Dip. Rel. Std., Dip. Policing Economic Crimes Slide 2 2
Fraud Misappropriation Usury Forgeries Corruption Computer crime
IPR infringements Smuggling of goods Currency counterfeiting
On-line Gaming Role of the Economic Crimes Police Investigation and
prosecution of various types of economic crimes and related
offences, mainly but not limited to: Slide 3 3 The ECU one of the
specialized branches of the Criminal Investigations Department.
Currently the unit is headed by a Superintendent, and in all it has
7 (seven) offices all managed by an Inspector. Every office
consists of 1 (one) Sergeant, and 2 (two) PCs (Police Constables).
Slide 4 4 FRAUD An act of deception intended for personal gain or
to cause a loss to another party Slide 5 5 Fraud in terms of the
Law In terms of Article 308 of the Criminal Code, the crime of
fraud is committed by: Whosoever, by means of any unlawful
practice, or by the use of any fictitious name, or the assumption
of any false designation, or by means of any other deceit, device
or pretence calculated to lead to the belief in the existence of
any fictitious enterprise or of any imaginary power, influence or
credit, or to create the expectation or apprehension of any
chimerical event, shall make any gain to the prejudice of another
person. Slide 6 6 Prison from 7 months to 2 years If value exceeds
2329.37, prison from 13 months to 7 years. If value is more than
232.94 but less than 2329.37, prison from 5 months to 3 years Slide
7 7 Fraud in laymans terms This type of crime may be committed by
any person with the intent of making any form of gain to the
detriment of others by fraudulent means. Such means must be the
false pretences to lead the belief in the existence of any
fictitious existence. Slide 8 8 An individual or organisation
intentionally makes an untrue representation about an important
fact or event The untrue representation is believed by the victim
The victim relies and acts upon the untrue representation The
victim suffers loss of money and/or property as a result of relying
upon and acting upon untrue representations Any loss/gain has to be
directly related consequentially to the untrue representation
(deceit) Elements of Fraud Hence FRAUD takes place when all of the
following elements are present: Slide 9 9 Many people tend not to
distinguish the difference between theft and Fraud. The crucial
difference can very much be highlighted if one keeps in mind the
following: Francesco Carrara the Italian Criminologist defines
Theft as: La contrattazione dolosa della cosa altrui fatta in vito
domino con l animo di farne lucro The taking away of a thing that
has a value, belonging to others without the owners consent with
the intent to make gain Slide 10 10 1.The element of TAKING: The
notion of taking is essential in theft. This requirement of taking
does not appear in the mechanics of fraud. 2.INVITO DOMINO (Without
the owners consent): With regards to Fraud as against theft
transfer of the stolen thing is not invito domino. In Fraud,
possession is parted with by the owner voluntarily even though as a
result of false representation or a trick on the part of the taker.
Slide 11 11 In both crimes the object being misapplied or taken is
given to the offender by the owner. The object is, however,
entrusted to the offender for a specific purpose in
MISAPPROPRIATION. In FRAUD, on the other hand, the object is given
to the offender under false pretences Slide 12 12 Most common types
of fraud FRAUD Cheque Fraud Internet Fraud Insurance Fraud Card
Fraud Charity Fraud Lottery Scams Identity Fraud Slide 13 13 One of
the techniques of fraud The creation of a false written document or
alteration of a genuine one, with the intent to defraud Slide 14 14
Several types of documents could be forged, including: Cheques and
other bank documents Contracts and inheritance wills Invoices
Architectural drawings Public documents Judicial acts Academic
qualifications Driving test certificates Slide 15 15 The most
common and basic type of fraud Involves paying for a purchase by
means of a: dishonoured cheque cheque drawn on a closed account
stolen cheque Cheque Fraud Slide 16 16 The use of a credit card
with intent to commit fraud. Can be committed with a: Stolen card
Counterfeit card Cloned Card Card Fraud Slide 17 17 The act of
using deception to get money from people who believe they are
making donations/good causes to charitable institutions. Charity
Fraud Slide 18 18 A scam thats been around for years and still
finds victims! Also known as the "wash wash scam, pretendersattempt
to fraudulently obtain money from a victim by persuading him/her
that piles of banknote-sized paper in a trunk or a safe is real
money which has been dyed black or another colour (e.g. to avoid
detection by customs). Slide 19 19 The victim is persuaded to pay
for chemicals to wash the "money" with a promise that he will share
in the proceeds. Originated in Africa (Nigeria) Slide 20 20 Any
type of intentional deception that uses the internet. A growing
amount of victims of online fraud. Recent most popular types of
internet fraud are purchase of second hand/quality used cars.
Various renowned websites have been hacked. Almost in many cases
victims are asked to transfer money via Western Union reason being
that with a few minutes of the money is forwarded to the wrong
hands. Slide 21 21 This crime occurs when a person intentionally
obtains and uses personal identifying information of another person
to fraudulently obtain credit, goods, services, or any other thing
of value without the consent of the other person Identity Fraud
Slide 22 22 Insurance Fraud occurs when people deceive an insurance
company or agent to collect money to which they arent entitled. Two
types: Claim inflation/misrepresentation Intentional destruction or
deterioration of an insured item to obtain insurance money A
specific crime in terms of Art. 295 of Cap. 9 (up to 3 years imp.)
Insurance Fraud Slide 23 23 Profile of the Fraudster Slide 24 24
Frank William Abagnale A notable US fraudster of the 1960s Passed
US$2.5 million worth of forged cheques across 26 countries Eight
identities, including an airline pilot, a doctor, a prison
inspector and a lawyer Now an American Security Consultant!!! Slide
25 25 Catch Me if You Can! 12 months in French prison (about 6
months served) 6 months in Swedish prison 12 years in US prison (4
years served) Slide 26 26 Malta Freeport Employment Scam Several
complaints against a Maltese national A civil servant who had posed
as a consultant for the Malta Freeport Promised manual jobs at
lucrative monthly wages & other perks but requested the sum of
Lm1200 (2795) from each and despite payments jobs were never
provided obviously! Slide 27 27 The Cilia Home Charity Fraud
61-year old Maltese national Approached businesses to donate money
for a bogus residence in London hosting the relatives of cancer
patients by the name of Cilia Home Sentenced for 3 years
imprisonment 1/06/2011 Case appealed Slide 28 28 Smart City Scam
Jobless Maltese national had impersonated the position of project
manager at Bovis Lend Lease, an international company entrusted
with the construction of Smart City Malta Stayed at the Imperial
Hotel claiming that his company would pay for his stay
Chauffeur-driven service provided Payments were never advanced
obviously! 18 months suspended for 3 years & ordered to refund
victims within 6 months Victims not refunded as per Court order,
hence conversion from suspended sentence to 18 months effective
imprisonment Slide 29 Any Questions?
