Fraud

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) issued its 2004 Report to the Nation on Occupational Fraud and Abuse ( www.cfenet.com/report ). Based on a survey of certified fraud examiners from late 2003 through early 2004, the report analyzes more than 500 cases representing a loss of $761 million to U.S. companies. Survey respondents estimated an organization typically loses 6% of its annual revenue to fraud. In 2003, based on the gross domestic product, the total loss due to occupational fraud can be estimated at $660 billion.