James D. Ratley President and CEO Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

FBI Director Louis J. Freeh, Transparency International founder Peter Eigen and other experts will address nearly 3,000 anti-fraud professionals gathering here this week for the 25th Annual Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Global Fraud Conference.

The conference, which marks the world’s largest gathering of fraud fighters under one roof, commences today at San Antonio’s Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and lasts through Friday, June 20. More than 80 educational sessions will be presented by top experts in the anti-fraud field, focusing on subjects including high-tech fraud, risk management, detection, investigation and prevention, presented by top experts in the anti-fraud field.

Freeh, who will speak during the Monday afternoon general session, was appointed director of the FBI by President Clinton in 1993. He is heralded for transforming the bureau from a national law-enforcement agency to a global security institution, where he doubled the number of bureau branches worldwide and increased the FBI’s focus on counterintelligence, cybercrime, DNA technology and electronic surveillance.

Eigen founded Transparency International in 1993. The non-governmental organization promotes transparency and accountability in international development, and through its Annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report has been highly successful at shedding light on the devastating effects of corruption.

Other keynote speakers include international asset recovery expert Martin Kenney, CFE, managing partner for Martin Kenney & Co., Solicitors, and global strategist and cyber security expert Marc Goodman, founder of the Future Crimes Institute. Ranbaxy whistleblower Dinesh Thakur and investigative reporter Susan Schmidt will also speak.

Humberto Aguilar, a former attorney with the Florida Bar who served 77 months in a federal prison for money laundering, will tell his story of fraud, becoming a fugitive and his eventual prison stay. Aguilar will speak without receiving compensation from the ACFE.

ACFE president and CEO James D. Ratley, CFE, said the conference brings a global focus to the complex problem of fraud, with experts from around the world presenting proven solutions in detection and prevention.

“Fraud is a continuing problem, and today’s fraudsters are skilled at using technology and other means to strike from any location around the world,” Ratley said. “Every year, it heartens me to see anti-fraud professionals from more than 60 different nations gather for this unmatched training opportunity – knowing that when they leave, they are taking with them the knowledge and skills needed to better detect and prevent the next fraud.”

About the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

Founded in 1988, the ACFE is celebrating its 25th anniversary as the world's largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. Together with nearly 70,000 members, the ACFE is reducing business fraud worldwide and inspiring public confidence in the integrity and objectivity within the profession.