Large-scale fraud declines sharply in Scotland

Large-scale fraud declined in Scotland last year according to the latest figures.

Research by advisers KPMG discovered losses of £4.7m in 2015, down considerably from £8.6m in 2014.

Public sector fraud, meanwhile, saw a substantial increase, going from £700,000 in 2014 to £2m in 2015. One case, an employee fraud against NHS Ayrshire, accounted for £1.3m.

KMPG called on employers to examine their internal processes so as to avoid fraud.

Ken Milliken, KPMG Scotland’s head of forensic practice, said: “We report on the high-value cases which have come to court.

“We know from our work with organisations across all industries that there are many more instances of insider fraud and embezzlement.

“Organisations, particularly within the public sector, need to look at their own internal processes to make sure that opportunistic staff of all levels cannot exploit security gaps.”

Last year did not see any cases of fraud by customers against businesses, down from five in the previous year.

Mr Milliken added: “The threat may not be where you expect it to be.”