Midwest Fraud Investigators Network

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MFIN – ACFE Half Day Fraud Conference 11-5-25

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This event has been cancelled. See the post above for information on a new webinar.

Midwest Fraud Investigators Network and the Chicago Chapter of Association of Certified Fraud Examiners are partnering to host a Half Day Conference on November 5th from 9am to 1pm. Registration will begin at 8am. The cost is $30 per person.

Through the ACFE, each attendee will receive 3 CPE credits.

Pay and register Here

Refreshments and snacks will be served before and during the conference. Our location will be at BluSky Restoration, 3200 Squibb Ave, Rolling Meadows, IL.

Here’s the lineup of speakers:

Andrew Keith and Craig Kelbus—221B Partners
Digging Deeper: Why Primary Sources Matter Most

A presentation and discussion on the importance of going beyond what is reported in commercial databases and what can be gleaned from analyzing data from primary sources. We will discuss, among other things, limitations of commercial databases and provide real examples of how finding and analyzing primary source documents helped us to identify relevant information and connect the dots in our investigations.

Taylor Etzell—FINRA
Red Flags of Crypto Investment Schemes and Best Practice Considerations

A discussion on red flags financial institutions may come across that could indicate a customer is the victim of a crypto investment scheme. Taylor will also share her perspective on processes and controls that may help address these schemes.

Jennifer Mackovjak and Chris Brenner—221b Partners
How to Leverage OSINT, Traditional Public Records Sources and the Deep and Dark Web

This presentation will focus on threat and violence risk assessments from a public records and open-source intelligence perspective and how to leverage tools available to investigators and the public, conduct research and gather intelligence. We will discuss how we can use this information and intelligence both proactively for prevention and to mitigate risk and reactionary during an investigation or incident response.

The presenters will use real case scenarios, pulling out the important details to provide to a threat assessment team or law enforcement. Real examples used will illustrate the value of these records and practitioners will be compelled to include these searches and the results in their approach to future threat assessments.

Noel Thomas to Speak on Human Trafficking at 9-10 Meeting

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Join us at 1pm on September 10th to hear Noel  Thomas give a presentation on Human Trafficking. A link to the meeting has been sent to members email.

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Noel Thomas is the Founder and CEO of Dark Watch, where he leads with a vision to create a world where every individual is valued, protected, and free from exploitation. A recognized leader in the global fight against human trafficking, Thomas brings a unique background spanning law enforcement coordination, organizational leadership, and technological innovation.

His journey began in the mission fields of Operation Mobilization and Youth With A Mission (YWAM), where he witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of trafficking on vulnerable communities worldwide. This experience ignited his lifelong mission to dismantle exploitation at its core. He went on to serve as the Statewide Counter Trafficking Coordinator for Florida, where he worked to align law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and government bodies in disrupting trafficking networks and supporting survivors.

Driven to harness technology for social good, Thomas founded Dark Watch, an intelligence platform that leverages advanced data analytics to expose and combat organized crime and trafficking. Under his leadership, Dark Watch equips financial institutions, law enforcement, and hospitality partners with actionable intelligence to safeguard communities and prevent exploitation.

Thomas is also a Whitaker-published author of Dark Traffic, a book that sheds light on the hidden economies of organized crime while offering pathways to hope and action. His unwavering dedication, grounded in faith and a commitment to justice, continues to inspire individuals and organizations worldwide to join in the mission to set captives free.

Leslie Lewis to speak at 7-9-25 Meeting

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Leslie Lewis is a Forensic Accountant in the Chicago Division and joined the FBI in 2024. She earned her Bachelor’s from the University of Arkansas and a Masters in Accounting and Financial Forensics from the Florida Institute of Technology. Prior to the Bureau, she specialized in cost accounting at one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world.

Leslie will be presenting on “Unveiling the Financial Story – FBI Forensic Accountants”

Taylor Etzell to speak at 5-14-25 Meeting

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Red Flags of Crypto Investment Schemes and Best Practice Considerations

Join Taylor Etzell from FINRA in a discussion on red flags financial institutions may come across that could indicate a customer is the victim of a crypto investment scheme. Taylor will also share her perspective on processes and controls that may help address these schemes.

Taylor Etzell is a Senior Principal Investigator on FINRA’s Crypto Asset Investigations team. As a member of the former Digital Asset Specialist Team, Taylor has nearly seven years of experience conducting crypto asset-related examinations and investigations of FINRA member firms, registered representatives, and associated persons. Prior to her current role, Taylor was a Principal Investigator on the Special Investigation Unit’s AML team, where she furthered her knowledge of crypto activities and AML investigations through her work on matters involving firms offering crypto asset services. Taylor joined FINRA in 2015 as an examiner in the Firm Examination program.

August 12th and 13th Annual Fraud Conference

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This year we are partnering with Cook County Organized Crime Task Force, ACFE Chicago Chapter, Special Agents Association, IAFCI and Coalition Against Financial Crime. See the details below. Download a copy of the flyer here.

Missy Coyne of NICB to Speak at our next meeting 3-12-25

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Missy Coyne will be presenting on Synthetic ID Fraud at our next meeting at 1pm on 3-12-25. Missy has been employed with National Insurance Crime Bureau since March of 2016. Missy started as an Agent in the Mid-Atlantic Region and is currently assigned to Learning and Development as a Learning and Development Specialist.

Missy retired from the Baltimore County Police Department after 27 years of service in December of 2015. She was a Detective in the Financial Crimes Unit for the last 14 years of her career, 10 of which she was assigned to the United States Secret Service Federal Fraud Task Force. As a Detective, her area of expertise involved investigations pertaining to identity theft and credit card fraud.

She was the Mid Atlantic Chapter President of IAFCI (International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators) from 2012 to 2019, the International Treasurer for 2021/2022 and the 1st Vice President for 2023/2024. She is currently the Treasurer of the WV Chapter of IASIU