A corruption probe investigates bribery, embezzlement, fraud and other illegal acts within an organisation, government body or public office. Corrupt investigations can be handled internally by organisations through disciplinary procedures or externally through regulatory and criminal processes. They are usually long and complex, because proving grand corruption requires putting together many pieces like a jigsaw.
Reports of corruption can be made by whistle-blowers, members of the public or employees. The way in which these reports are handled is crucial, as it not only affects whether a case is opened, but also sets the tone for whether others will be willing to come forward and report corrupt behaviour in future.
A case is triggered when an employee, for example a bank clerk, recognises irregular transactions or suspicious money flows in a suspect account. The employee then notifies the authorities, who will then review on-line and other records to identify the suspected wrongdoer – for example identifying them by their role in the organisation or public body, their previous roles, the value of their property and whether they have been subject to prior debarments (e.g. from a project) or other evidence of corruption such as shell companies, shady transactions, etc.
International corruption also impacts the United States, resulting in loss of trust in our financial markets and economic growth. FBI international corruption squads address this by tackling a number of different types of cases including those related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and kleptocracy.
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