Midwest Fraud Investigators Network

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Presented by C-T Watch

You may be eligible for up to 7 CPE

May 18th – 8:45am to 12:30pm

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)

C-T Watch, Inc. provides specialized open source (OSINT) training. Let us teach you to become OSINT experts.  We will train you in the art and science of digital investigations by guiding you to the hidden doors of social media and illuminating the dark corners of the web. Gain the competitive advantage and experience the C-T Watch, Inc. training curriculum, designed to empower all levels of technical aptitude. No coding, no hacking, just the latest in open source intelligence techniques. Knowing and understanding how to effectively access the largest source of archived information of all time is our specialty, let us pass it on to you.  Understanding open source intelligence is more vital than ever, making our training a necessity for law enforcement, educators, businesses, leaders and security professionals alike.

The Exploitation & Weaponization of Your
Personal Data By Criminal Actors—Digital Exhaust

This course identifies possible adversaries and the techniques that they use against us to learn more about us in an effort to use our own data as a weapon. Through this course, we will discuss possible adversaries, motives, and basic techniques used. The journey then moves to a discussion about leveraging false, partially false, and truthful data on social media and the internet at-large. Here, the participants will learn about data minimization in addition to the use of disinformation and deception in an effort to reduce their attack surface. The participants will then be taken on a survey of social media and accounts across the internet with a specific emphasis on how an adversary may identify them on more than social media, possibly leading to more accounts being compromised. The session will conclude with the participants learning how to be more secure online from the lens of an Open-Source Intelligence investigator and considerations when choosing secure technologies.  Topics:  1). High level OSINT discussion to understand adversaries and their normal techniques. 2). Disinformation and Deception on a personal level. 3). OPSEC Techniques – Social Media and Internet Accounts. 4). OPSEC Techniques – Leveraging secure technologies.

May 19th – 8:45am to 12:00pm

Insider Threat Awareness

This introductory course is designed for corporations and critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR). This course is an introduction to how to best assess the needs of your organization, and the general first steps to form an insider threat program. Discussions will center around building something with minimal or no budget. Definitions, scope, industry standards, best practices, factors to consider before you start, planning and implementations tips are included. Additionally, we will cover why there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach for insider threat programs, and why you need to factor in your organization’s culture. This course covers the following: -Case studies -Strategy and Planning -Use of an Insider Threat Steering Committee -Program definitions and scope -How to start a program without a budget.

On October 20th and 21st, the Midwest Fraud Investigators Network will once again host a virtual conference.

We have a great lineup of speakers. Once again, the conference will occur over two days. Each day will consist of a morning session from 8:30 to 12:30. Cost for attendance will be $75. Register online here.

Here are our presenters:

Erik Shiffman, ASAC FBI Chicago – Ransomware: History and Trends

A brief examination of how ransomware has evolved into its current state and where it’s going next. This examination will include ransomware origins, evolving trends and obstacles, as well as basic mitigation efforts. Additionally, I will also discuss how best to involve your local FBI Field Office for critical incident response purposes.

 

Holly Zielke and Claudia Kemple, IL Department of Aging – Adult Protective Services—Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation

The Illinois Adult Protective Services (APS) Program is the state designated agency directed to investigate and respond to reports of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation of adults aged 18-59 year of age with a disability and adults aged 60 years of age and older.  Financial exploitation is one of the most reported and substantiated types of abuse that Adult Protective Services addresses.  In this presentation, we will review how APS are provided and how APS collaborates with other professions in the protection of vulnerable adults.

Ryan Duquette, ACFE RSM Canada—Through the Looking Glass

“Through the looking glass” is a metaphorical expression meaning: on the strange side, in the twilight zone, or in a strange, parallel world. While the internet can be considered a strange, parallel world, it can also be an informative, interesting, yet scary place when conducting different types of investigations. There are various technologies and methods that you can use to protect your identity and information while conducting internet-based investigations. This session will illustrate these technologies and methods to keep you safe when investigating online.

You will learn how to:

Identify the methods criminals use to find your data.
Compare various technologies and software tools to protect your identity while investigating online.
Examine various methods to employ to hide your own tracks.

Tony Paixão—Wicklander-Zulawski Associates – The Anatomy of the Investigative Interview

The investigative interview is more than a conversation—it’s a strategy. To maximize on the evidence uncovered from an extensive investigation, the investigator needs to curate the appropriate interview approach that leverages rapport, strategic questioning, and self-control. In this presentation, we will explore what components promote an “effective” investigative interview, we will discuss how to formulate a calculated line questioning that’s focused on eliciting the maximum amount of information and we will discuss the importance of keeping the most important variable in the exchange under control—yourself.

Mark you calendars – This year the MFIN Annual Fraud Conference will be October 20th and 21st from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Once again, the conference will be virtual. Planning is still under way, so stay tuned for details.

On October 21st, the Midwest Fraud Investigators Network will host its first virtual conference.

We have a great lineup of speakers and for the first time, our conference will occur over two days. Each day will consist of a morning session from 8:30 to 12:30 to accommodate everyone’s work schedules. Cost for attendance will be $75. Register online here.

Here is our lineup of presenters:

October 21st– Deidre M. Dyer, Deputy Supervisor, Public Corruption/Financial Crimes Unit—Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office

An Overview of Complex Financial Crimes Prosecutions Seeks to help bridge the gap between prosecutors and the various agencies that investigate financial crimes. The training will take a look at laws available in Illinois to prosecute complicated financial crimes. In addition there will be a review of strategies and a framework for approaching these cases even when faced with a large number of transactions or evidence. Assistant State’s Attorney Deidre M. Dyer will offer her perspective on how to better manage these cases so that your time is spent more efficiently, and she will provide case studies and examples to show that even the most complicated cases can often be easier to handle with a few simple guidelines in mind.

October 21st– David Williams, Supervisor, Special Prosecutions Bureau—Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office

Preparing for and Testifying in Court

As an investigator everyone works hard to find and preserve evidence. Building a case is a skill. Presenting the case is another skill. Sometimes equally important. This presentation will assist in providing tips for testifying in court that include proper paperwork, preparation and presentation.

October 22nd—Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope—Can You Really Spot the Red Flags?

Developing professional skepticism is an important skill that all accountants must have but how do we ensure that we have it? In this interactive presentation we will utilize material from Red Flag Mania e-learning platform to practice our ability to exercise professional skepticism and discuss the importance of understanding red flags in the fraud prevention process.

October 22nd– Mason Wilder, CFE—Deepfakes: Changing the Fraud Landscape

Video or audio clips manipulated by advanced technology, otherwise known as “deepfakes,” could produce devastating societal impacts, from swinging elections to causing riots or even prompting a war. As researchers, governments and technology companies grapple with the existential threats posed by deepfakes, the fraud implications of the phenomenon might be overlooked.

As resources for creating deepfakes become more advanced or accessible, other traditional fraud schemes could benefit from leveraging the ability to manipulate audio and video. It’s important to be aware of the risks associated with deepfakes and how best to protect your organization from this emerging threat and understand potential implications for more traditional fraud examination issues.