KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Sexual gratification is one of the three main factors why fraud takes place.
Fraudsters use women in exchange for government contracts and licences from authorities and decision-makers, according to the Malaysian chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Its president, Akhbar Satar, said these women are usually guest relations officers hired to seduce the decision-makers who were mostly males.
He was speaking during the "Economic Crime" seminar held in conjunction with the 2008 World Economic Crime conference. The seminar was organised by Berita Harian and Help University College.
"The fraudsters know that men are usually weak when it comes to women," said Akhbar who was the former Anti-Corruption Agency director of training as well as former Negri Sembilan ACA director.
He added these female accomplices are paid at least RM1,000 per "session".
"At times, these sexual acts are recorded and it may be used as a form of extorting the victims later if necessary."
The "victims" are usually people in power such as politicians, government officials and corporate heads.
Some of the female fraudsters "offer" themselves just to get the contracts and licences, he added.
The act of using women in exchange for business contracts and licences was a global phenomenon, he added.
The other two factors why fraud takes place are the lure of a powerful corporate position and promise of money.
"These factors show that it is human nature to desire maximum pleasure with minimum pain," he said.
Akhbar said these factors were compiled from reports made to the ACA.
Fraud, Akhbar said, included bribery, corruption and economic crime.
Economic crime is defined as acts in violation of the criminal law designed to bring financial reward to an offender. The crime also involves illegal business activities.
