A survey by the consulting firm Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) revealed that between 2016 and 2018 the number of companies -public or private- that reported having been victims of a crime (fraud, bribery, etc.) increased by 25%.
According to the results of the study “Fraud and corruption, an analysis of its impact on organizations,” in that period there was a significant increase from 37% to 58% in the number of organizations that reported this type of incident.
The greatest increase in economic crimes was recorded in Latin America, with a 25 percentage point increase compared to 2016. In Mexico, there was similar trend, with an increase of 21 percentage points in the number of companies that indicated they had been victims of an economic crime in the last two years. Countries in Eastern Europe and Pacific Asia experienced an increase of 14 and 16 percentage points; respectively”
indicates the analysis of PwC.
According to Javier González, president of the Institute of Internal Auditors of Costa Rica (IAICR), internal audits have become a fundamental piece to anticipate situations of uncertainty and instability that could generate criminal actions.
Gonzaléz believes modern audit professionals must use the new Information and Communication Technologies (TIC’S), social networks, data analysis (Big Data), cyber-security, and other resources to face white collar crimes, money laundering, and financing of illicit activities, among other phenomena.